From typicallyspanish.com
Environment Minister hopeful of expropriation agreement for Algarrobico Hotel
By m.p.
Feb 11, 2008 - 7:02 PM
The Environment Minister says the government is hopeful of reaching an agreement with Azata, the company which owns the controversial Algarrobico Hotel, the partially-constructed building built on the edge of the Cabo de Gata Nature Park.
Speaking from Córdoba on Monday, Cristina Narbona said the Junta de Andalucía has recently received a valuation for the land on which the hotel stands, and with this information, Europa Press reports, hopes agreement can be reached with the owner to expropriate the hotel and allow it to be demolished.
The Minister also noted the recent High Court decision which turned down an appeal presented by the Town Hall in Carboneras against the coastal protection zone of 100-metres from the shore which was set for the area where the hotel stands in 2005. The hotel stands just 20 metres from the shoreline, which is the distance the Town Hall argued should be applied.
The cabinet of the Junta de Andalucía recently approved a new decree for the nature park, which includes a change in land classification for the site where the hotel stands. It will now become public land, and that is being seen as another step towards agreement with the owners.