Rob Horgan
IBIZA residents are set to block a pair of British billionaires from building on the island.
Angry locals have expressed concern over the possible destruction of natural sites on some of the Balearic island’s most loved beaches.
Billionaire brothers David and Simon Reuben had planned to build a series of luxury beachfront properties after tying up a €35 million deal for 44 hectares of land.
But their plans have been thwarted by disgruntled residents who have vowed to block the necessary permissions.
A petition launched on change.org has already garnered 4,200 signatures in just a few days.
Government officials have also stepped in, saying it will be ‘very difficult’ for the brothers to carry out their plans due to building restrictions.
The intended works are planned on 5kms of popular beaches including Cala Conta, Cala Bassa and Port des Torrent.
Ibiza residents have had a long and successful run of blocking huge ‘anti-environmental’ projects, such as plans to develop around Benirras beach and more recently to drill for oil offshore.
Giants of music and film, including Fatboy Slim and Kate Moss, got involved in the anti-drilling protests.
The Reuben brothers, the UK’s second richest men invest primarily in property, having made their fortune in the Russian metals industry.
This purchase is their first major venture in Spain.
They didn’t purchase this before making sure they could build there, I trust? Ah well, they could always rent sunbeds and parasols…
It will work out fine when the brown envelopes start coming.