Dirty tactics

Councillors accuse developer of ‘spying’ and ‘lies’ as protesters vow to continue battle to prevent ‘urban atrocity’ at threatened Cala Mosca beach

A GIANT developer behind the controversial plan to build thousands of houses on one of the last virgin stretches of Costa Blanca coastline has been accused of intimidation and lies.

Opposition councillors in Orihuela told the Olive Press the group used ‘fake information’ and even ‘commissioned’ spies to probe any officials opposing the plans for Cala Mosca.

EXCLUSIVE

By Alberto Lejarraga

veloper ‘in every way they could’.

“This is a speculative scheme for very rich foreigners that will destroy Cala Mosca’s unique biodiversity,” said Cerdan.

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“They kept bombarding Orihuela rep-

The town hall failed to be drawn into commenting to the Olive Press before we went to press. resentatives with letters containing fake information,” councillor Carlos Bernabe told the Olive Press this week.

“Claims like the town hall would need to pay them €200 million compensation if the development did not go ahead, which is a made up number,” added the leader of the local Cambiemos party.

“It is an urban atrocity and the saddest part is the mayor and her team have bought into that speech.”

His claims were backed by Antonio Cerdan, member of the local CLARO group that achieved the temporary suspension of the huge macro-project, granted by the European Parliament in 2007.

“Gomendio kept threatening all of us with the compensation claim and I’ve been told they even asked for reports on officials who were not in favour,” he added.

Speculative

It comes as protesters threatened to pull down a fence that the council has approved to go up around the coastal zone where Gomendio plans to build 2,200 luxury homes.

Campaigners for Salvemos Cala Mosca protested against the project near the newly raised fence this Monday.

Their protest came as it emerged a strong national body has now stepped in to oppose the scheme.

Spain’s General Directorate for Roads has taken the development to court.

Legal proceedings have been launched which could lead to the project being declared void.

“It would mean Gomendio would need to immediately stop any works,” insisted Bernabe

Both Bernabe and Cerdan insist PSOE leader Carolina Gracia and Ciudadanos Urban Planning Councillor Jose Aix have helped the de-