Pego golf course still up in the air after 17 years

Opposition calls project 'out of date' and 'untenable', but mayor says it's about 'diversification'

PEGO local government is allegedly ‘pretending’ to let the golf course plan expire to ‘raise false hopes’ of it never going ahead, according to opposition party Compromís.

The regional department for agriculture had reportedly pointed out that the environmental impact study – one of the necessary reports before a development can start – was out of date, and several other deadlines had passed.

Under normal circumstances, a time limit of three months is imposed to resolve any problems relating to a future development, although a recent change to national planning laws means this has been extended to six.

Mayor Enrique Moll and his environment councillor, Laura Castellà cancelled the application, giving the impression that they had decided to give up on the golf course idea altogether.

But Sra Castellà says they withdrew the application in order to open a fresh one, since legal loopholes concerning the land law changes have led to uncertainty over the deadlines. This will mean they now have a clear six months to either reject the plans, or start the process of turning them into reality.

“We preferred to cover our backs and avoid getting hit with a flood of legal action for failing to stick to timescales,” she admitted.

Compromís believes the golf course project – which has been on the table for over 17 years – is now ‘out of date’ and ‘untenable’, and accuses Sr Moll of wanting it to proceed ‘just so it looks like he has a plan for Pego’s future’.

But Sr Moll pointed out that when Compromís was still known as El Bloc and governed in coalition with his Socialist party and Ciutadans de Pego, they were all for the idea.

“We all know what the current situation is like in the farming industry, and we believe that diversifying will make us stronger,” Sr Moll argued.

“Also, the golf course will take up less than 10% of Pego’s agricultural land.

“Plus, it will guarantee that a major slice of potential building land will be safe from becoming a concrete jungle – as well as being equipped with a water recycling system.”

Residents of neighbouring Monte Pego whose terraces and back windows would look straight out over the golf course have said they will believe it when they see it.