by SOPHIE MCCARRICK [email protected]
Development plans for Praia Grande, approved by Silves Câmara in 2007, have now received agreement from the courts, after property owners in the area appealed against them.
Plans for the beach that stretches between Albufeira and Armação de Pêra in the Silves council include the construction of three luxury five star hotels and five separate units to create a ‘Holiday Village’, plus a 16 hole golf course to be located over three kilometers of coastline.
The resort will also provide direct access to the beach.
No compensation
Proposed in December 2007 by Finalgarve, project managers Norigem and design consultants Risco presented an architectural drawing of the new development for Praia Grande but the plan was opposed by two property owners.
They claimed their land had not been included in the proposed areas to be urbanised.
Lawyer Paulo Moura Marques, who represented Silves Câmara in the case, told Lusa news agency “these plots of land are located in a National Ecological Reserve (REN) and a National Agricultural Reserve (RAN) and therefore the owners are not entitled to compensation.”
Mayor of Silves, Isabel Soares, said that, at the time that the plan was put forward, it held great importance in terms of investment and jobs, due to the increasing unemployment rate in the region.
“The development is set to provide approximately 5,000 tourist beds,” said Isabel Soares, who believes that, upon completion, Praia Grande will become one of the most sought-after tourist locations in the Algarve.
Paulo Moura Marques also told Lusa that if there are further appeals, the plans may have to be suspended again.
However, the judicial decision will become final after 30 days of all parties involved having been notified. A completion date for the development is yet to be confirmed.
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