AFTER A long wait, government ministers have approved the plans for Vale do Lobo III, a major new development project for the luxury golf and beach resort, which represents an investment of 500 million euros.
There had been rumours that the multi-million euro project would not be approved as it had apparently failed to meet the necessary criteria. In the end, several government departments, including the Ministry for Planning and Administration, Ministry for the Environment and Natural Resources and the Secretary of State for Culture, were involved in approving the plan, which was first published in October 1995. And the Council of Ministers finally gave the go-ahead for the development last week.
An exciting new era
Vale do Lobo III will include a five star hotel and 126 plots for 283 luxury villas and apartments surrounded by the resort’s Royal Golf Course. A spokesman from the resort said that the project’s approval signalled the beginning of an exciting era of new development that would see Vale do Lobo double in size over the next decade.
Commenting on the news, Mr Sander van Gelder said: “I am extremely pleased that the final planning permission for the VDL III project has now been announced. This, of course, marks a very important step for the future development of the Vale do Lobo Resort. This is also undoubtedly good news for Portuguese Tourism and the economy, as it will be a project of great quality that can only enhance the reputation of the region for offering quality accommodation and real estate. Furthermore, it will create many new jobs and provide work for local suppliers and businesses, as well as making a significant tax contribution to the local municipality.”
The official public presentation of the plans for the Vale do Lobo III project is due to take place in the presence of Prime Minister Durão Barroso at a date to be announced shortly.
