Brick factory controversy rumbles on

THE old brick and tile factory El Prado, located in front of the El Ingenio shopping centre in Torre del Mar (Velez-Malaga) continues to be a matter of controversy.

The Office for Nature Studies of Axarquia and ecological association GENA-Ecologistas en Accion, announced on Thursday (September 3), that the asbestos found on the roof of the factory will have to be removed by its owners.

Jose Luis Gamez, GENA member, reminded that in August of 2014, they denounced before the Velez-Malaga Council and other authorities, the hazard of contamination that this factory represented.

Facilities were closed down back in 2010, due to the construction crisis and, since then, it has been the subject of burglaries and a series of fires which resulted in part of the roof collapsing. After that, it was dismantled by scrap dealers who took no safety measures to handle asbestos, according to the associations.

Mr Gamez added that asbestos is a hazardous material which, after being broken up, generates volatile particles which can damage people’s health, causing different kinds of cancer.

The Town Council has now issued an execution order which forces the owners to cordon off 853 metres (for a price of €3,708), remove asbestos, estimated to be more than 568 cubic metres, with an estimated cost of €107,838. The local government has given owners a period of three months to perform the works. In the case they do not comply, the town council is to carry out works, and then request the money from the company in charge.

Mr Gamez also reminded that an official report was issued by members of his party, Equo. He said the situation is even more delicate as there is shopping centre, a water park, an event hall, and a senior’s home in the area close to the factory.