Background Info on the Alhaurin Bypass

Please read this for all previous updates for the most up todate info and current events please go to the bypass page here

The Number of Alegaciones completed has been double the total required. There is another meeting at La Penita this thursday 20th December at 21.00. Those who paid into the fund should bring their receipt. Copies of the alegaciones will be returned stamped. Hopefully we have done enough. The committee were taken aback at the number of foreigners who signed alegaciones.

Thanks to tracy for this information and thanks to everyone for all of their help and support during this time.

Merry Christmas

Tim and Mig

Update:

A meeting took place at La Peñita last night regarding the most recent developments in the fight against the proposed bypass.

A platform has been formed, comprising twenty of the most informed and well qualified members of the local community including members of the financial, legal, communications and technical professions. President Pepe Garcia, Manager of Cajasur spoke at length of the plans to boycott the hugely invasive project which, if it were to go ahead, would mean the expropriation of the homes and land of a large section of the community as well as the destruction of many areas of local beauty and the habitats of an extensive list of flora and fauna which are protected by law.

He stressed that the platform is totally non-political and that local support is much needed.

It seems that many local residents remain completely unaware of the extent of works involved in the construction of the totally new four lane motorway which has been put forward by the Junta de Andalucia and would connect Coín with Alhaurín de la Torre, passing through numerous areas of the local countryside ad taking more than two hundred homes on a compulsory purchase order. It would also involve the expropriation of thirty-five thousand square metres of land. It was pointed out that in certain places; the road would run some fifteen metres high and include new roundabouts and bridges at the cost of more than thirty five million euros.

It would also cut off the existing entrances to many fincas, as well as interfering with natural water ways, both under and over ground.

Señor Garcia said that ‘positivity’ was the key word and that the road “is not going to happen”. The platform called for all members of the local community to support the fight against the project as everyone will be affected in some way. It was also stated that the platform would be properly organised and administrated in order to best support the fight against the project. An alternative and much less destructive route is supported by the platform, details of which are available on this site. It was also stressed that the rumors which are currently being spread regarding the possibility of this road connecting to the new hospital are totally unfounded.

Directly affected families were asked to make a donation of fifty euros per household into a central fund, in order to further investigations into the project. The main part of the money will be used as the deposit to begin a technical report. The money can be paid into any branch of Cajasur today or as soon as possible. All branches are aware of the existence of the fund.

Local British Biologist Suzanne Bennett spoke of the effect this project would have on the local environment and has agreed to join forces with her Spanish counterparts to highlight the massive destruction it would entail.

A press release has been sent to numerous Spanish key TV channels, newspapers and magazines and interviews have already taken place. The press release is available on this site in both English and Spanish and will continue to be presented to both the English and Spanish press.

All those present were asked to complete an application for an extension of the time scale in which ‘alegaciones’ or claims against the project can be submitted. At present, they must be submitted by this coming Friday 14th December. The application is available to download on this site.

The link for this application is here

Everyone, not only those directly affected are at liberty to make alegaciones. There will be a meeting at the Casa de la Cultura tomorrow, Wednesday 12th December at 21.00 when the form for the extension should be submitted.

Also, the relevant paperwork to make additional alegaciones will be available. Everyone was encouraged to make individual alegaciones supported by photographic evidence where necessary.

Those attending the meeting tomorrow should also bring their original alegacion which was made in the Town Hall along with their ID and their Parcela and Poligono numbers.
Anyone who has any doubts should attend the meeting tomorrow night. This fight needs the support of the local community. Please spread the word.

Tracy Banks
INland Magazine
tracy@inlandmagazine.com

Previous Updates

The form to register to be given an extension to complain about the bypass is here

This is an application for the ‘ampliación del plazo’ or delay of the closing date for ‘alegaciónes’ or claims against the project. This will enable a thorough technical investigation into the project by the relevant experts.

Please print it out.

You need to fill in your details including your name, DNI/Passport, Street name and number and your catastral reference (parcela and poligono numbers). All this information is available on your escritura (deeds).

Then sign at the bottom and bring it to the meeting of the Platform at La Peñita on Monday 10th December at 21.00 accompanied by copies of your catastral and your passport/NIE. If you are unable to attend, please complete your form and leave it with your photocopies at Papeleria Cristina by Monday 12.00 noon.

Please also be aware that there will be a new and more up to date version of the formal ‘alegación’ which can be completed and submitted by any interested party, including but not necessarily the directly affected – this will be available on Monday.

Anyone with any questions can contact Alvaro Hurtado on 699 953 291. (English speaking).

Anyone with contacts in the national and international media, environmental groups or any organisation which will help to further the fight against this horrendous project is invited to contact Alvaro Hurtado, INland Magazine on 952 595 046 or alhaurintoday.com

Update 6th December 2007:

Alhaurin Bypass Committe Formed

ALHAURÍN EL GRANDE IS FACING A HIGHWAY THAT COULD DESTROY THEIR HUERTAS.

Alhaurin el Grande, December 5, 2007.


The ‘Platform’ against ‘variante norte’ in the village of Alhaurin el Grande is formally opposed to the draft submitted by the Junta de Andalucía which aims at charting an alternative to the current A-404. The new road will cross completely the municipal area of Alhaurin el Grande.

The new route runs through all of the Dehesilla, Monte piedad, El Quinto, Siete Caras, Fuente del Peral, Arroyo de la  Villa, Maja-vieja, Dehesa, Campiñuela and  Miralmonte, therefore, all of the municipality of Alhaurin el Grande. The project will be created using a aggressive system of clearing, which will cause huge earth movements, segregating farms and cutting many rural roads, thus breaking the natural landscape and the uniqueness of the local area for which the alhaurinos feel so proud.

More than 1,200 residents will be effected, also orchards and olive groves, with an area of about 350,000 m2.  The project will expropriate dozens of homes, aquifers, springs and natural irrigation, old cattle trails and closing the passage to most the adjacent farms. It directly affects the PIL area of Alhaurin el Grande areas which has the qualification ‘Special Protection’.


This project has an enormous environmental impact and ‘Paisajístico’, and will harm protected species such as herons, badgers, genets, owls ‘real’. It represents also a serious danger to the “Huerta Alhaurina”. This area has been praised by the University of Malaga for its wealth and unique peculiarities in southern Europe.

All this disruption will not solve the shortcomings in our current roads or improve communication between Alhaurin el Grande and Malaga


PLATAFORMA CONTRA LA  VARIANTE NORTE.
PORTAVOZ: Dª Gracia García Pérez.  
Tlf. 607793020
Fax: 952499016
e-mail: noalavariantenorte@gmail.com

 

Update 5th December 2007:

The Alhaurin Bypass PLANS AVAILABLE HERE
Please consult your Escritura for your finca number.
The main plan is clickable to see the individual 'hojas' in greater detail.
Properties directly affected are indicated by the finca numbers shown in bold.
These plans are also available for viewing at the Town Hall, please ask for 'Variante del Norte'.

Thanks to Graham for providing the map.

Many Thanks to Tracy and Alvaro for all the information provided

A committee has been formed and an agenda for this bypass has been set out.

The agenda is:

1. To form an Association of Vecinos (neighbours) or Platform.
2. To make a public declaration to the Mayor and to the spokespeople of the rest of the political groups with municipal representation that, without any room for doubt, this plan is opposed and the blueprint for the Northern Bypass is rejected. Communicating that the aforementioned is prejudicial to the population of Alhaurín el Grande, to its landscape and surroundings, to the environment and to its economy.  The said manifesto should be transmitted via local TV during the hours with highest viewing figures, as part of the news, regularly and over the course of consecutive days in order to communicate that Alhaurín el Grande is completely in support of this Platform and to incite further support for the protest of the community against this project.
3. To contract the services of a specialist lawyer in Urban Development and the rights involved therein that will be employed to study the plan and its effects.
4. To present copies of the ‘alegaciones’ not only to the Town Hall but to the Ministry of Public Works, Ministry for the Environment, Agriculture etc…
5. To organise meetings and manifestos in Málaga as well as in the town.
6. To gain economic and logistic support from the Town Hall.
7. Alegaciones from the Town Hall against the project should be covered by the media. All press releases should be officiated by the Platform. All information should be at the disposition of any interested party.
8. The day of presentation of ‘alegaciones’ should be overseen and attended by members of the Platform/Association.
9. Contact the media.
10. Petition the Mayor to attend the Platform immediately in case of an emergency situation.
11. That the campaign is unaffected by bank holidays.
12. To seek support from municipal groups and associations including the Defenso del Ciudadano (Town Defender), Women’s Associations, Church Brotherhoods, Cultural Associations etc.
13. Request the support of Coín and Guadalhorce TV Channels for news coverage.
14. Ask for the support of the ‘Defensor del Pueblo Andaluz’.
15. The collaboration of other Platforms.
16. Ask for the Mayor to call all the affected citizens together.

Update 4th December 2007:

A second meeting was held last night to discuss the proposed Northern Bypass which in the words of the Mayor, “will make dust” of Alhaurín el Grande”. This took place at 20:00 h at Restaurante La Peñita in Avenida Gerald Brennan.

This meeting was arranged by local land owners and the news was spread solely by word of mouth, the internet, local radio and a few posters in the town. The prompt response highlights the strength of feeling within the town and the high level of support for the ongoing campaign against this radical plan.

More than two hundred locals, both Spanish and ‘foreign’ were in attendance. Speakers at the meeting included representatives from the legal profession, the Town Hall, local land owners and the media.

It was unanimously agreed that a plan of action is necessary in order to FORMALLY reject the plan for a four lane motorway to connect Coín with Alhaurín de la Torre which will pass through the ‘campo’ areas on the north side of the town. The proposal will mean the expropriation of 35,000 square metres of land and directly affect more than 200 homes. The blueprint, which is referred to by the Junta de Andalucia as the “preferred” option but in reality is only one of several, was made public on November 28th. 

The deadline for ‘alegaciones’ or formal complaints is technically the 17th of December but this the date that by which the Town Hall should have collated and registered their own response. Do not be complacent time is of the essence. We have been advised that all those who are directly affected or are concerned that they may, be should go to the Town Hall this week and complete their ‘alegaciones’ .

The ‘buzz words’ of the evening were ‘be calm’ and above all ‘be organised’. Several of the speakers pointed out that Alhaurín is in the privileged position of already having many active social groups in place already as well as the ‘platform’  which was utilised against the Barranco Blanco development.

It was agreed that a central committee should be established in order to co-ordinate the campaign against the plan and at the time of writing, the contact for the English speaking community is Alvaro Hurtado who can be contacted on 699 953 291 or via email villasolelgrande@ yahoo.es. Please only use this contact if the information you require is not available on this site or at the Town Hall.  All updates on the campaign will be published on this site at the earliest opportunity. Where frequently asked questions are identified the will be published with the appropriate answers.

If you are in any doubt as to whether you are directly affected by the plan, you should go to the Town Hall immediately where copies of the blueprints are freely available. Take your escritura (deeds) and I.D. with you. You will be asked to sign a formal ‘alegación’ if you wish to support the campaign against the plan.

The immediate action which can be taken by EVERYONE is to SIGN THE PETITION. Copies of which are currently available in The International Café, The Black Horse, M.E. Express, Gloria’s Bar, Freezermore, Brit Essentials, Taylor’s Delicatessen and Papelerias Martin’s and Cristina’s. This petition must be presented to the Town Hall tomorrow afternoon so time is short.

It should also be noted that, according to Alvaro Hurtado, ANYONE is legally entitled to make an alegación, even if not directly affected.
Later today there will be a copy of a ‘form’ letter available on this site to print and sign. This should then be taken to the Town Hall where it will be formally stamped and accepted. The platform which is fronting the campaign has already approached various lawyers, architects, environmental groups and the national press in order to progress.

Please watch this space for details of a proposed emergency meeting regarding Junta de Andalucia’s plans at the Town Hall on Wednesday 5th December.

Proposed New Bypass for Alhaurín el Grande

The plan for the proposed new bypass for Alhaurín el Grande is on display at the Town Hall (contact name Salvador Ramon). Basically, it will be a dual carriageway that follows part of the A404 (past Urb. Miralmonte) and then cuts across the campo behind Venta Los Chavos through various urbanizations to join the Alhaurín de La Torre road between the town and the Mirador Hotel.

The route being championed is the alternative one recommended by the Junta de Andalucia.The Town Hall is against this route because of the impact on both the environment and residents in this area. Potentially over 200 homes and 4,000 people will be directly affected.

The plan was announced on Wednesday and all potentially affected residents need to put in an official 'alegación' or complaint at the Town Hall, accompanied by copies of their Passports / residencia / NIE, Empadron and deeds (escritura) or rental contract.

Copies of the petition and all (available) maps and plans will be placed in a number of businesses in Town such as Papeleria Cristinas, Martins, Celebrations, Black Horse, International Cafe, Taylors, Brit Essentials etc. Please look and above all sign the petition as this plan could have a significant impact on your lives. Time is of the essence. This is EXTREMELY URGENT as any protests MUST be made before December 5th -please sign now.

www.alhaurintoday.com has posted copies of the official press releases containing details of the proposed route. This will be updated immediately further information is available.

Keep listening also to acefm 106.8 for news of the updates

Alhaurin el Grande Proposed Bypass - VERY IMPORTANT

A meeting was held at Alhaurín el Grande Casa de la Cultura, chaired by the Mayor, Juan Seron. It was attended by approx 300 people.

There is an 'anteproyecto' (blueprint) for a new bypass through Alhaurín el Grande which will join Coín with Alhaurín de la Torre.

The road will mean the expropriation of approx 200 homes in the town of Alhaurin el Grande and surrounding areas.

The Junta de Andalucía has outlined a plan to offer those owners between 1.30 and 6.75 euros per square metre for their land!!! Those who have homes which are not legally registered will receive nothing.

It is estimated that this will affect approximately ALL of Alhaurín's inhabitants in some way.
The Mayor has called for ALL residents and their families to go to the Town Hall as soon as possible and before December 5th to sign a petition which will be presented to the Junta.

The plan is available to view there. Please take copies of your documents (photo ID and escritura/rental contract and Empadron) with you. The Town Hall 'Tecnico' office is open from 16.00 - 20.00 to accommodate this petition.

There is also an alternative plan which Serón intends to present which will solve the so called 'problems' without the need to "hacer polvo" (direct quote from Serón) of Alhaurín el Grande.

PLEASE PLEASE GO TO THE TOWN HALL ASAP AND SIGN.
SPREAD THE WORD: THIS PROJECT IS MADNESS!!!

Many Thanks to Tracy for all of this information.

Alhaurín owners unhappy with compulsory purchase offer from Junta
By m.p.

Information courtsey of www.typicallyspanish.com