Expats demand removal of Calahonda ‘Stonehenge’

WHEN one reads the tourist information regarding Sitio de Calahonda it paints an idyllic place with neat roads, villas, low rise apartment blocks, parks and golf courses.

The Jardines de Calahonda and Monte Calahonda areas in particular are nicely kept by residents and are generally regarded as a good place to live.

What it does not mention is that Jardines de Calahonda has its own ‘Stonehenge’ in the centre.

Unfortunately, Calahonda’s version is an ugly and unsightly building that was started about 20 years ago but abandoned.

The area is now overgrown and, local residents say, a risk to the health, safety and safety of neighbours as the building crumbles and the steelwork rusts.

The site has a large deep water pit that attracts young children and it is extremely dangerous.

In 1990 a building licence was granted for 18 apartments, although the immediate adjoining neighbours of Jardines 4 and Caserio objected on the basis that the number of dwellings permissible had already been reached when their communities were built.

The new block did not respect the 4.5 metre boundary distance to its own plot.

The work was stopped on several occasions by Mijas Town Hall and since about 2004 the owners have allegedly taken no further action.

It is also the contention of Jardines 4 that the road leading to the plot is their property and the new building has no legal and proper right of way.

The President of Jardines 4, John Home, advises that their community pays for the upkeep, cleaning and lighting of the road. Numerous requests have been made to Mijas Town Hall who allegedly agree that it is contrary to municipal planning laws.

The EUC Calahonda agrees with the residents’ views and also would like the building removed as it blights the landscape.

A demolition order against the building was issued years ago but the promoter has “done nothing about it,” Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Foreign Residents in Mijas, Mario Bravo, told EWN.

He added that “the town hall will have to see how much it will cost and go ahead with the demolition ourselves”.

When asked when this would be, he said it would be “before the end of this year” and explained that in this case the town hall would keep the plot on which the building currently stands.

He said the town hall is also looking to demolish a building on the Pueblo Valleverde complex which is currently inhabited by vagrants and is also in a state of disrepair.

Photo credit: David Tyrrell ABIPP AMPA