Setback for Branson's hotel on Son Bunyola estate

FURTHER changes have been requested for Sir Richard Branson’s new hotel at his Son Bunyola estate, being the latest knock-back for the luxury project.
Having previously insisted that architects modify the project for Branson’s hotel, the Council of Mallorca’s heritage commission has identified some specific matters that it wants addressing.
These relate to the restoration of its old olive press, the type of material that is to be used in the reconstruction of its dry-stone terraces and the windows of the mansion. The regional government’s environment ministry will also have to approve the type of earth.
Architects have already started work on adjusting the specifications for converting the mansion in Banyalbufar into a rural hotel and have included these requirements into the new specifications.
The Branson project entails the conversion of houses at his Son Bunyola estate into luxury accomodation. The savvy businessman had previously owned the estate, repurchasing it for €15 million in 2015. Spread across 270 hectares, Branson set his sights on it being the most eco-sustainable hotel complex in Europe.
Banyalbufar town hall is firmly behind the scheme, while the Council granted it with a ‘general interest status’ on the understanding that heritage characteristics would be retained.