Popular Algarve theme-park Zoomarine is hoping to get the go-ahead to ‘double in size’.
The plans include “more than doubling” the complex’s use of water, say reports, and increasing grassed areas.
The expansion has already received a favourable declaration of environmental impact from the CCDR, explain reports this morning.
What will now move forwards is a ‘period for public consultation’: running only until June 3 (see below).
In the meantime, Silves council has partially suspended its PDM (municipal plan), while other bureaucratic changes will have to be made.
Says Correio da Manhã today, these include “alteration of the limits of national ecological reserve (REN)”.
The plans, which will take the current 14.8 hectare site to 28.7 hectares, involves expanding into Sítio do Ribeiro, spanning the parishes of Alcantarilha and Pêra.
The idea is to create ‘new leisure spaces’ – particularly the installation of new attraction ‘Lazy River’ – says CM.
There will also be a new ‘wave pool, surrounded by sand’, an increase in car-parking spaces (by almost 1000) and the creation of a photovoltaic park to supply the complex’s energy.
The project “also implies alteration of the main entrance and the dolphin stadium as well as the creation of a cable car system.
CM adds that for the borough of Albufeira, the plan would involve the construction of a new roundabout.
Zoomarine has been welcoming families for ‘unforgettable day’s out’ since the early 2000s. It is visited annually by huge numbers (around half a million people).
The expansion idea is expected to see these numbers increase by another 20%, says CM, explaining that Silves council okayed the initiative in principle, opening the way to public consultation in which residents are asked to ‘make suggestions, or present information so that it can be considered’.
Anyone keen to take part in the consultation process that runs for less than two weeks can do so by downloading the relevant ‘participation form’ and sending it through to the council on [email protected].
Click here to download a participation form.
