Could semi-arid region be set for golf course project?

Councillor claims to have seen golf course and residential project for Ugijar as developers advertise new homes on internet

A GOLF course along with 2,000 homes is set to be built on semi-arid land in La Alpujarra, according to a local councillor.

Juan Francisco Arenas de Soria, an Izquierda Union councillor in Ugijar, claims to have seen plans for the project on land between the town and the village of Cherín.

“The new PGOU urban expansion plan included a golf course and 2,000 new homes four kilometres outside Ugijar in the Cherin Valley,” he told the Olive Press.

Real estate companies are advertising property for sale in the area, mentioning the future construction of a golf course.
A local estate agent told a reporter from the Olive Press that plans for a golf course do exist.

“There is a golf course in application in the Cherin Valley. However, the regional government will require many months of feasibility studies before any permissions are granted,” Andy Stevenson of Berja Estates confirmed.

The Olive Press can reveal a development company is advertising more than 1,000 homes for Ugijar.

The web site for Dataga claims 1,062 “second” homes are projected for land around the town.

In March this year, Dataga officials signed an agreement with golf management Aymerich, which specialises in the design of golf courses.

Past Aymerich projects include the Medina Elvira course near Granada.

A Russian development company is also advertising a project in Ugijar. Called “Tres Sierras,” Spain Real Estate mentions almost one million square metres of land outside the town will be used for residential purposes.

The company also claims the project will include hotels, sports centres and commercial premises.

When approached by the Olive Press, Ugijar mayor Bienvenido Ortega refused to confirm – or deny – the existence of plans for a golf complex for the town.

“There are plans for a couple of urbanizaciones (housing developments), but the PGOU has not yet been approved by the Junta de Andalucía.

“We are open to any legal investment or development,” he said.

Local teacher Antonio Reynoso, who was Ugijar’s first mayor after the start of Spanish democracy in 1977, believes the council should move and make their position over the alleged golf course clear to avoid any suspicion.

“In matters such as this, there should always be clarity. There are two ways of understanding any development in Ugijar. I only want things to be clear so people can choose the one they want.

“I do not want secrecy and rumours, which always suggest illicit money is in circulation,” he said.

“I know plans do exist for the construction of a couple of housing estates. Many people allegedly have interests in these plans, mainly related to land.

“Urban developers put a lot of money on the table and people just cannot say no,” he added.