COUNCIL CIRCUS AMID ENVIRONMENTAL PROTESTS

News

Staff Reporter / 2007-02-19 15:23:52

teruel numancia residents in orihuel

The Orihuela council meeting last Tuesday became a media circus as environmental protests were made, urbanisation allegations levelled and a film crew from a satirical Spanish TV programme all disrupted the proceedings.

In the end the Policia Local had to restrict entry as so many groups were trying to take advantage of what was effectively the last executive meeting before the elections in May.

Residents of the Teruel Numancia urbanisation in Playa Flamenca, as featured in the "Leader" over the past few weeks, brought placards and had questions asked about the illegal situation of their houses by the PSOE councillor. Answers were not forthcoming, however and they are not yet closer to learning whether it is just the promoter Travensa SL, that has not completed its legal obligations, or if the town hall itself may have also acted illegally. Their fight continues.

A group of protesters represented CLARO, with signs calling for the last stretch of virgin coastline at cala de la Mosca to be saved from imminent development. PSDE councillor Francisco Orturo did announce that his group would try and paralyse the project with an administrative objection.

The project was approved though, with the votes of the PP majority in favour, and all other groups against. A group of PP councillors affiliated to Monica Lorente, the PP candidate for the next elections, did make a statement that the timing was "inopportune" and should have waited until after the elections, but made no criticism during the meeting.

A reporter from Telecinco's ironic show Caiga Quien Caiga tried in vain to get a comment from the Mayor, one of whose councillors kept him at bay. The show followed the rest of the meeting though, and the "man in black" Juanra ensured that Orihuela's urban politics remain a national reference point.

Tags: Monica Lorente, Partido Popular, Orihuela, Orihuela-costa, Orihuela Costa, Claro