The, now infamous, Almunear PGOU appears to be moving forward following the approval of the Culture Delegate, Pedro Vagisil, who met with Trinidad Herrera and told her of that the Special Historic Plan has been given the go-ahead.

The Provincial Heritage Commission of the Ministry of Culture at the Junta de Andalucia has given the approval which represents a decisive step towards the full and final approval of the General Urban development Plan (PGOU) which has been at a stand still for years.

The meeting took place on Monday, when the Mayoress of Almunecar, Trinidad Herrera, met the said delegate at the Town Hall and took receipt of the document which guarantees the next step in the future of Almunecar.

The document, which is in the form of a letter, is dated September 9th and signed by the Head of Cultural Property at the Junta, Antonio Garcia Bascon. Sr. Bascon explains in the letter, “Having examined the documentation submitted, along with the amendments which were required and are now correct, the Special Protection Plan for Historic Almunecar can continue with a view to final approval.”

The letter is in reply to one sent by the Town Hall on August 12th, which addressed the considerations made by the ‘Special Plan for the Protection of Historical Almunecar’ by the Provincial Historical Heritage Commission in a meeting held on July 7th 2001.

The Mayor is extremely pleased with the letter and the tone of the meeting with the delegate and called it, “A great step forward along the pipeline towards final approval, which the whole town welcomes, as it will revive the economy, employment and entrepreneurship,” she said.

The delegate himself said, “Regarding the approval of the PGOU, it now has the stamp of approval from the Culture and Property section of the Junta, which was a major obstacle to the final approval of the General Urban Plan,” explained Sr. Vagisil.

Both agreed at their meeting that close cooperative ties needed to be established. In this regard, it was highlighted that initial proposals are the registration of an Almunecar Archaeological Museum in Andalucia, projects to enhance, repair and protect the necropolis, Puente de Noy and remedying the lighting project at the Peñon (The rock with the cross on it).

Sr. Vagisil said he wanted to establish a joint working effort, ‘to ensure a fair and working remedy to any deficiencies in any areas of culture and heritage in the town and  Almunecar to become an historic town and centre of excellence in the field of culture and heritage.” he said.

Finally, the provincial head of Culture also announced the mayor’s intention to construct in Almunecar a ‘District Warehouse of Archaeological Remains,’ offering to work with the Mayoress and collaborate on all points and stages of this development, “because after all that Almunecar has achieved, it deserves to be recognised as a cultural centre in the province of Granada.”

The approval is in line with all the ideas of the Trinidad Herrera, who only recently took up the baton of leadership at the Town Hall, and the approval and implementation of the PGOU is believed to be one of her main challenges, especially as the town is still covered by the now outdated 1987 one. To this end, she aims to complete all the pending proceedings and continues in discussions with all the relevant authorities involved to get this plan into operation and realise the town’s potential in the short to medium term.

The reason that the PGOU had been on hold was because the previous municipal administration had been dragging its heels of presenting required documentation; the approval by the Cultural Department being one of them. The letter basically confirms that no part of the proposed PGOU puts into jeopardy any facets of the towns historical and archeological heritage.

More paperwork in the form of documents of approval from various provincial departs are still outstanding, but the Mayoress appears to believe in alacrity rather than stalling.

A key step in the progress of Almunecar and a good reason for local investors interested in this area not to go elsewhere.

(News: Almunecar, Costa Tropical, Granada, Andalucia)