By DAISY SAMPSON [email protected]
Residents in Tavira will be resurrecting a community action group to help fight projects in the area that “threaten the natural beauty and environment of the region”.
Originally, a group was set up 11 years ago by residents in reaction to the proposed construction of a quarry in the area.
Elizabeth Harding, a founding member of the group, told the Algarve Resident: “We first formed the group to be a legal association for local people to help with issues that affected us here. At the time, we were able to meet with the then President of Tavira Câmara, Macário Correia, and voice our concerns and we hope to do this again.”
Residents in the area are concerned about the erection of wind turbines, high tension power lines and, now, the development of a quarry close to many residential properties.
Robert Boydell, a local resident, is worried about what is going to happen to the area where the quarry is now being built.
He told the Algarve Resident: “I was part of the original residents’ group, which died down a while ago but now we are starting the group again because of the gaping hole that has been dug up in the Cerro de Leiria area.”
Ian Rosam is also a member of the community group: “The beeping of vehicles as they reverse and the pecking sound as the stone is removed is an ongoing issue for people living close to the quarry site and other activities in the area are a constant problem to residents,” he said.
A meeting of the residents was due to be held yesterday (Thursday) to elect a President and other members of the committee known as ProBarrocal, named after the group’s desire to save the rural Barrocal area near Tavira.
“When you look at this area, you think that nothing could be built here because it is such a remote and beautiful area. It is ridiculous that projects such as wind turbines and quarries are able to be pursued here,” said Elizabeth Harding.
“After the group has become re-established, we will be contacting Tavira Câmara again to request a meeting with the President about our concerns. I am trying to get more people involved in the group this time because although these issues may not directly affect some residents now, you never know what will happen in the future,” she added.
If you would like to be involved with the ProBarrocal group, please contact Elizabeth Harding by calling 965 769 255.
Do you have a view on this story? Please email Editor Inês Lopes at [email protected]
