ARCHIVED - Paramount park in Alhama de Murcia: bureaucratic processes continue

The Town Hall of Alhama has finally given its formal approval to the Paramount urbanization project

Progress in converting the Paramount theme park in Alhama de Murcia from a grand plan into a reality has been painfully slow at times, and there are still doubts over the availability of finance for the project, but the bureaucratic procedures took another step towards completion on Thursday when the Town Hall of Alhama gave its initial approval to the urbanization plan for phases 1 and 2 presented by Premursa.

Premursa president Jesús Samper has been busy elsewhere this week attempting to save Real Murcia football club, but the news from Alhama will come as a welcome distraction. As soon as the Town Hall’s approval is published in the official bulletin of the Region of Murcia a 20-day period begins in which objections and appeals can be lodged, and after that the final seal of approval can be given.

Assuming that this procedure runs smoothly it is possible that work on developing the site could begin in September, although in order to issue the corresponding licence the Town Hall requires a payment of 301,398 euros from Premursa: this is equivalent to 10% of the estimated costs of development, which include the installation of the electricity and water supply and sewerage.

Although scepticism regarding the viability of the project remains in some quarters, the regional government has put its support behind the project again, seeking EU financing to the tune of 18 million to support the initial building phases. Four years after Paramount announced that the park would be located in Alhama, those hoping to visit the theme park one day will be anxious to see the first diggers at work on the site, although it seems that the initial target of opening next year may be unachievable given the current delays.

Image: Copyright Murcia Today