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Date Published: 23/07/2021
ARCHIVED - ANSE angered by proposed development of Monte Blanco reclaimed natural areas
Ecological group ANSE opposes the government plan to build on the natural scrubland of La Manga which they have spent years regenerating
The Association of Naturalists of the Southeast (ANSE) will voice its objections to the Mayor of Cartagena, the Minister of Development and the General Directorate of the Natural Environment and request effective protection for the natural scrubland of Monte Blanco, situated at the end of the La Manga strip, and at this point the only undeveloped area of La Manga del Mar Menor.
The group sought permission from the Cartagena City Council back in 2013 to transform the site, which was heavily littered and completely unused, and has since worked hard to re-plant native plants and trees to transform this abused corner of La Manga and reclaim it as a natural space.
Now, the Ministry of Development has announced its intentions to build, in collaboration with the City Council of Cartagena, a multi-use building on the plot in Monte Blanco, despite the fact that the area has very few natural spaces that haven’t already been developed, and that there is a glut of empty office and commercial buildings that could be used instead. ANSE argues that the regional government’s plan will undermine the work and effort of recent years to protect the region’s natural environment while adding to the already high urban density of La Manga.
Monte Blanco: Qué locura!
— muregiónmediterránea (@murciarmediterr) July 21, 2021
Quieren construir en lo poco que queda de la pinada medieval El nuevo edificio de servicios públicos, un vivero de empresas, área para nuevos negocios y un espacio de 'coworking'; un salón de actos, etc.
Alguien está ya preparado para ganar mucho dinero pic.twitter.com/zwca3QnYBY
The project is part of the La Manga 365 plan, aimed at revitalising the area all year round, financed 80 per cent with European funds from the Integrated Sustainable Urban Development Strategy (Edusi) and 20 per cent by the nregional government. An ANSE spokesperson voiced his frustration at the fact that these EU funds are being used to increase the urban sprawl rather than the recovery of natural landscapes which would improve the quality of life of residents.
While the government has assured that the majority of the site which ANSE previously repopulated with trees and shrubs will not be touched, they have already conceded that some 10 per cent of the plot will be needed for the new building, which will house a nursery, assembly hall and various business spaces. In addition, ANSE president Jorge Sánchez has warned that the rest of the natural space will almost certainly be indirectly affected by the development of access roads to the new complex.
To resolve these issues, ANSE has made a request to the Cartagena City Council for a working group to be established as soon as possible.
The situation has attracted significant angry comment from locals on social media, angry about what they see as the "continued disregard" for the natural environment and the Mar Menor.
Image: Asociación de Naturalistas del Sureste (ANSE)
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