San Javier approves plans for 324-room La Manga hotel and new bus contract

The latest town hall meeting also approved new environmental powers and backed plans that could create dozens of jobs and bring hundreds more visitors to La Manga

Plans for a new four-star hotel with 324 rooms in La Manga del Mar Menor have taken another step forward after San Javier Ayuntamiento approved an agreement linked to the development.

The hotel would have space for up to 608 guests and is expected to create 68 direct jobs. According to the plans presented to councillors, it could also generate more than 31,000 overnight stays.

For an area heavily dependent on tourism, that means more hotel spaces, jobs and potential business for local shops, bars and restaurants.

But another large development in La Manga may not be welcomed by everyone.

There have long been concerns about the amount of building along the narrow strip, and San Javier is currently changing its own planning rules to reduce future development in its section of La Manga.

Under those plans, the amount that can be built on land still awaiting development would be cut by almost 30%, with new blocks of apartments ruled out and more emphasis placed on hotels and other tourist accommodation.

The new hotel appears to fit with that change in direction, although the proposal itself wasn't unanimously supported. The Partido Popular voted in favour, PSOE and the Grupo Mixto voted against it, while Vox and Pleamar abstained.

Councillors also moved forward with San Javier's new local bus contract. The proposed award was supported by the Partido Popular, PSOE, Vox and Pleamar, with the Grupo Mixto abstaining.

Another decision will change who deals with some environmental assessments in the municipality.

Until now, these procedures have been handled by the Regional Government. Under a new agreement, San Javier Town Hall will take on responsibility for environmental impact assessments of projects, plans and programmes that fall within its own area of responsibility.

That doesn't mean the town hall can approve projects without outside checks. The powers are being formally delegated by the Regional Government and must still be exercised within environmental law and the conditions of that delegation. The regional administration also retains oversight of delegated powers, while other authorities can still be involved where their reports or approval are legally required.

The main difference should be where the paperwork is dealt with. San Javier says handling these assessments locally will reduce waiting times for residents, businesses and developers.

There was also unanimous support for a PSOE proposal to look into creating a dog-friendly beach in San Javier.

Two motions from Vox were rejected, including one calling for further measures to prevent and tackle forest fires and another proposing quieter, lower-emission street cleaning machinery.

Image: Archive