Jon Clarke (Publisher & Editor)By Jon Clarke
A TRIO of protest groups have united to oppose plans to build ‘a speculative’ airport on protected land, near Antequera.
SEO Birdlife has joined the IU political party and local residents group Antequera Habitable to fight the huge project that threatens a key feeding ground for Andalucia’s rare flamingo.
The scheme – that would take up five million square metres of land on the celebrated ‘vega’ area – has now been officially lodged through the government’s Boletin Oficial del Estado (BOE).
Protest groups have been given days to put in their allegations regarding the plan, which they insist is “unnecessary”.
In particular, they insist that it will be built next to the Herrera Lagoon, which is classified as protected green land, according to Antequera’s town plan (PGOU).
Aside from that, they say that Malaga airport will be just 20 minutes away when the new Las Pedrizas motorway is finished next year.
“We think this is completely unnecessary,” said spokesman for Antequera Habitable Jose Galan. “You only have to look at the situation regarding another provicial airport in Ciudad Real, which has proven a failure.”
IU leader Lola Quintana said: “We believe this scheme could be an environmental disaster. It is not compatible with the current protection of this area.”
The company behind the airport, Grupo Vega, insists the scheme will bring nearly 2000 much needed jobs to the area.
Whats wrong with developing Granada airport ? its hardly used now. we do not need more airports until near capacity at existing airports, Malagas second runway will increase capacity locally.
What’s left of the rural south of Spain is gradually being destroyed, with the full, probably corrupt support of those whose job it is to protect, not develop.
Similarly with the hotel(s) at Cabo de Gata, the golf course at Ronda, etc., etc., into the gloomy future.
Such an airport at Antequera, should it ever be used for aircraft, will destroy the peace and we could see the end of our flamingos, scared off by the noise. You cannot have large birds anywhere near an airport, for safety reasons they would have to go, deliberately scared away. The birds will simply make the longer journey to S. France instead. What then of the tourist income lost forever?
But is a successful airport the real, long-term objective? Could it be knowingly built-to-fail and the ruined land then used to build another large town, making billions for the proposers?
With three rail stations within 10km and just a 20 minute journey to Malaga airport, it’s hard to avoid this conclusion.
Come on all you Spanish, your environment is being destroyed by greed!!!! Put an end to it, don’t let corrupt officialdom walk all over you and your families!!.
Tony is probably right.Once a protected habitat has been trashed, it’s easy meat for another scheme. Financial crisis to the rescue, I hope.