Benitachell's future is green

BENITACHELL is set to unveil its vision of the future of the community for the next 25 years when a new structural plan goes on public display for 90 days.

Residents will be invited to comment on plans the town hall believes will 'guarantee' the 'green future' of the Marina Alta municipality.

Key to the plan is embracing the natural landscape, Benitachell’s historic terraces, and environmentally-friendly pledge to get walkers to the top of the Puig de la Llorenca mountain without having to touch Tarmac.

The plan was agreed at a council meeting on Tuesday when it was also agreed to extend the public consultation period for the draft proposals from 45 to 90 days.

Mayor Josep Femenia urged all political parties to stand together over the 'crucial' plan because it would define 'urban, social and economic development' for a quarter of a century.

And he said the consultation period would allow residents to take part in a planning process that aimed to protect the landscape and heritage of Benitachell.

Central to the plan is limiting growth of the community to a 'maximum' ceiling of 1,500 new inhabitants over the 25 years; currently the population of the municipality is just over 4,000 people.

Councillors were told the plan met the Valencia government’s 2011 strategy for the region and protected natural spaces including the town’s coastline and the beds of valu- able posidonia oceanic under the waves – the sea grasses that provide valuable breeding grounds.

The hill on which the centre of Benitachell stands will also be protected, ensuring the views of the bell tower and dome of the Santa Maria Magdalena remain visible from miles around.

However, there is room for modernisation and the plan includes ' an important commitment' to create an ' attractive' commercial centre for commerce and services on tertiary land on the eastern side of Benitachell, alongside the road leading up to Cumbre del Sol; and also to ease traffic problems in the town centre.

A town hall spokesman said the plan looked to increase the attractiveness of the town for people, recover green areas and 'gain in the quality of life'.

He added, “The plan recovers cattle trails and traditional paths. One milestone will be the rescue of a path that will allow people to climb to the top of Puig de la Llorenca without touching a metre of asphalt on a highway.

“Benitachell has today started a move towards a green and sustainable future.”