According to a CA press release, the Junta has said that the 7-star hotel can go ahead – a favourable report was given concerning the environmental impact on the Peñon de Lobo, where the hotel is to be sited.

The CA claims that this permission was given after the investors behind the hotel threatened to take the hotel project elsewhere. The CA also claims that the original building permission was valid, had the IU (left wing) party not been against the project and had called for such a environmental-impact study.

The CA – Benavides’ party – considers the 19-month delay absurd, when taking into account the unemployment figures and the squeeze the town’s economy is in.

In a press communiqué from the Mayor’s office, Trinidad Herrera says that the Christmas Lottery Draw (El Gordo) has arrived a day early with the news on the 7-star hotel.

She says that her administration has fought for this approval, which has finally borne fruit.

“For me this is a special day, because this investment is going to leave a ‘before and after’ moment in the development of tourism in Almuñécar, and that is always good news,” she said.

She claims that the Junta did not accept the first building licence, issued by the out-going Benavides administration, because the paperwork had not been submitted correctly and was deficient, but once her team had resubmitted all the necessary documentation, the Junta had withdrawn the block on the process.

She also emphasized that the development company and the Town Council enjoy a ‘good relationship.

Editorial Comment: Regardless of who is responsible for the delays or for the project reaching this point, it is good news for Almuñécar, even if our politicians can’t agree on who did what and when.