D-DAY – or Demolition Day – has come one step closer for the illegal Hotel Algorrobico in Almeria.
By James Bryce
Both the Junta and Spain’s Supreme Court have slammed developers and Carbonaras town hall for allowing the 411-bedroom hotel to be built on a beach inside the Cabo de Gata Natural Park.
“It is clearer than water,” said Junta environment boss Juan Jose Diaz Trillo, confirming that he is on the verge of signing a benchmark agreement to knock down the hotel with Madrid.
“Once the courts give the green light we will begin the demolition process that very same day.”
Speaking on Monday, he confirmed that the hotel should not have been built and that the area needed ‘maximum protection.’
His words came a week after Madrid’s Supreme Court upheld a ruling preventing any further work being carried out at the hotel.
The decision was taken in the ‘public interest to protect the environment’ said Judge Jesus Peces Morate.
He feared that granting permission would have led to similar projects being given the go-ahead, resulting in a detrimental effect on the environment.
Greenpeace recently increased the profile of the project by squatting in the unfinished building.
Hotel developer Azata claims it had been told the location of the hotel was legitimate and it was unaware of any legal issues.
