Environmental association Almargem has criticised Albufeira’s new “mega tourist project”, saying parts of it violate several land planning documents.
According to the NGO, the issue is that, apart from the Alfamar hotel, all other sections of the proposed development are in conflict with existing planning documents including PROTAL, POOC Burgau-Vilamoura, Albufeira’s PDM, RAN and REN (protected nature reserves).
It also “jeopardises what is left of the protected Pinhal do Concelho pine forest”.
In the project’s environmental impact study, the developers, Libertas-Investimento Imobiliário and the Sun House group, acknowledge that the territorial management laws “strongly condition, or even restrict, the building of the Sunset Albufeira Sports & Health Resort”. But that it is “evident” that these instruments are outdated and some, including the PDM and PROTAL, may even be changed.
As newspapers reported last week, the project covers 95 hectares between Falésia beach and Rocha Baixinha (next to Quarteira stream).
It involves the long-awaited revamp of the rundown Alfamar hotel as part of a reported €119 million investment to transform the four-star complex into a leading sports tourism resort.
Alfamar’s current quota of over 2,500 beds is to be upped by another 1004 and plans also entail a “rural hotel and agriculture club” offering various sports options (including riding and physical rehabilitation) as well as ‘back to nature’ holiday living.
