4 Jun, 2010 @ 14:30
1 min read

El Palmar developer scandal

THE developers in charge of building a controversial twin hotel complex by El Palmar beach have been charged with bribery.

Juan Munoz, president of firm Chival SL, and brother, Fernando, were involved in a 15-strong town-planning scam in Granada province.

Alhendin mayor, Jose Guerrero and town planning advisor, Manuel Fernandez, were both forced to resign.

The Public Prosecutor’s office accused the developers of illegally obtaining permission to build a municipal park.

Recorded telephone conversations captured Fernandez guaranteeing Chival SL a place on the project’s bargaining table.

After speaking with Munoz he also agreed to cut the project’s budget by five per cent to make it less enticing for potential bidders.

Meanwhile, more than 67,000 people have now joined the Facebook petition demanding the twin-hotel complex scheme in to be ditched.

The urged the Junta to classify the ‘Costa de Trafalgar’ as protected land and ensure it is protected from “huge development projects”.

The organisers of lobby group La Plataforma Salvar el Palmar, travelled to Sevilla to present its widespread disapproval to Junta officials.

They protestors are calling for “another form of tourism, truly sustainable, ecological and local”.

The urged the Junta to classify the ‘Costa de Trafalgar’ as protected land and ensure it is protected from “huge development projects”.

Despite earmarked just 500 metres from virgin beach, the project is backed by the town hall and both opposition parties.

Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)

Jon Clarke is a Londoner who worked at the Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday as an investigative journalist before moving permanently to Spain in 2003 where he helped set up the Olive Press. He is the author of three books; Costa Killer, Dining Secrets of Andalucia and My Search for Madeleine.

Do you have a story? Contact newsdesk@theolivepress.es

7 Comments

  1. It’s about time that heads within the Junta Andalucia started to roll as well as everywhere else and they should start from the VERY TOP of the barrel where the rottonest apples always appear to be found.All the ex-Mayors, or should I say ex-crooks that leave their towns or villages having made “their” fortunes from other peoples misery having seen the granting of building licences to properties that shouldn’t have them,taken their cut from various frauds over the years to turn a blind eye etc ALL TRY to end-up at what THEY consider to be the ULTIMATE place at the end of their career, where they will receive an even higher wage than before, a Golden Pension Deal and even Higher Status.The Junta know, knew and condoned ALL the illegal building that has occurred in Andalucia and has undoubtedly earned from it all. To say it DIDN’T KNOW WHAT HAPPENED IN ITS’ OWN PROVINCE IS NOT REASONABLE, BECAUSE THAT IS NEGLIGENCE,BECAUSE IT SHOULD KNOW AND IS LEGALLY RESPONSIBLE?

  2. I totally agree with Paul, this country of full of crooks. Just look at the statement – ‘Meanwhile, more than 67,000 people have now joined the Facebook petition demanding the twin-hotel complex scheme in to be ditched.’
    I have lived with a view over El Palmar for 8 years, and the figure of 67,000 is a joke as most of the year you are lucky to see more than a dozen people on the beach between El Palmar and Conil.
    It would be great to see a nice links golf course between the beach and the coast road and a tastfully built hotel. It would bring in some good investment and much needed improvements to the area. Especailly if an honest investor could be found!!!!

  3. One “tasteful” hotel for you. Brown envelopes for me!! Oh just one other for him, it’s only fair after all. More envelopes for me! What? You want one too? Ok then! And another hotel for you too, one for you and you and you and you and you………Ta da!!! Costa del spoilt.

  4. Steve,
    do you know how much water a golf course uses – enough for 10,000 people.

    Where’s this water to come from, I don’t think you give a damn. Desertification is coming your way. I think we can all assume you come from a rainy country and you simply cannot grasp that life is not possible without water.

    Oh I know,desalination and how much do you think a litre is going to cost in a few years when oil costs $150 per barrel, time to take a reality check or – move to north west Spain where it almost always raining – that’s why it’s so green.

    If Zapotero was’nt such an idiot he would have put the block on any more golf courses anywhere but north west Spain when he came to power but that would have been intelligent and showed forsight.

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