Stalemate over coastline plans

One of the last strips of un-developed coastline which had been earmarked for more than 1,000 homes including four star hotels, will not be built on, it has been revealed.

The area, known as the Playazo between the rivers Chillar and Seco, had been included under a previous urban plan more than 10 years ago.

In early 2014 the stretch of land, more than 1.1 million square metres, was again designated for development. This would have entailed the purchase of some land from private owners.

Now the fate of the land, dubbed one of the last virgin strips on the east coast of the province, has led to political wrangling between the parties.

Left-wingers have called for it to be left in its current state but there have been accusations that failing to allow development would jeopardise “the tourist, economic and social future of Nerja.”

The fate of El Playazo will now be decided at a meeting in a week’s time by the socialist-led authority in Nerja. But its leaders have signalled the development is not currently one of its priorities.

In August this year the environmental watchdog, the Sustainability Observatory, said Spain’s Mediterranean coastline was becoming over-developed and this could actually harm the tourism sector which is so vital to the country’s national economy.