New 10-Year 'PGOU' Masterplan for Marbella will set the Planning Record Straight

The Plan General de Ordenación Urbanística (PGOU) is a ten year plan produced by every Spanish municipality to designate land zones into categories of usage from green belt through to urban. This masterplan must then be approved by the regional government, in Marbella’s case, the Junta de Andalucia. Mayor Jesús Gil’s 1996 PGOU was never approved which means that Marbella has been in planning disarray ever since. Only when the new 2006 PGOU is approved will Marbella’s residents will know exactly where they stand. As for the thousands of buildings constructed during the GIL party era, they have a fate to be decided, should they stay or should they go?

The new 2006 PGOU is currently on display for public consultation until the end of September 2007 before a final version is submitted to the Junta for approval around November 2007, and it makes for some interesting reading. Firstly the Plan predicts that Marbella’s current population of 132,905 will grow to 169,719 over the next eight years, an increase of 27.7% and to accommodate this, the PGOU allows for 27,643 new homes of which over one third, 10,178 to be precise, will be affordable. Provision for the equivalent of 3,800 new hotel rooms, four star minimum, plus sports centres, conference facilities, educational establishments, business parks and 60m² of open space per head also feature in the masterplan.

The PGOU is not only concerned with open space and built-up space but also with transport. This 2006 version allows for six railway stations linking Marbella, Puerto Banús and San Pedro de Alcántara to the high-speed AVE Málaga mainline, 150km of cycle tracks, extra parking facilities, new connections between the toll road AP7 and the coastal road A7 plus confirmation of the 50-million-euro San Pedro underpass which is already work in progress. Boats are not forgotten, Marbella’s Puerto de Marina de la Bajadilla will be extended to a mammoth 2,500 berths plus a pier for cruise ships, Puerto Banús will also enjoy expansion and a study will be undertaken to assess the viability of a sporting port in San Pedro de Alcántara.

But what of the Gil era non-legal property? Adam Gale, Managing Director of Costa del Sol agent Duchy Estates comments, “New Marbella Mayoress Angeles Muñoz has a tough task on her hands to both distance herself morally from her predecessors and be seen to have zero tolerance towards corruption and sleaze at the same time as keeping favour with Marbella residents who may be unwittingly living in illegally built property. Our first fear for thousands of homes to face demolition has now been eased. All but very few of the 18,000 questionable properties will be incorporated into the 2006 PGOU and the guilty developers, including La Cañada Shopping Centre and Hotel Guadalpin, ordered to compensate the municipality by surrendering part of their land for parks and sporting facilities. This leaves just two hotels and 752 homes, half of which are occupied, which cannot be given reprieve as they are in strategic positions such as designated sites for railway stations or environmentally protected beachfront. This 752 seems to include the now infamous Banana Beach which sadly looks like it will face the bulldozer, although the Junta de Andalucia will be the final judge. This PGOU has not come quick enough for estate agencies such as ours. The end of confusion is in sight and Marbella can move on into a new era with dignity and with principles.”

The total cost of Marbella’s 2006 PGOU is predicted to amount to 2.250 million euros, split public-private 35-65, creating 60,000 jobs of which 37,500 will be direct and 22,500 indirect.

Contact Duchy Estates on spain@duchyspain.com, visit www.duchyestates.co.uk or telephone UK freephone 0800 849 8089 or call the Spanish office on 00 34 952 906 944.

On the Market - Los Granados del Mar is an absolutely frontline beach resort at the heart of Marbella’s New Golden Mile, a privileged stretch of coastline to the west of Marbella reaching down to the port town of Estepona. The premier gated community with two secure accesses comprises 127 apartments and penthouses, all with the benefit of being able to stroll to the beach in seconds. The meandering landscaped gardens accented by tropical plants and trees are home to two large outdoor pools with feature islets as well as a well-equipped social club including indoor pool, Jacuzzi, gymnasium, sauna, Turkish Bath and massage room. Residents can also enjoy a large chiringuito-style lounge area with beach bar.

Each of the two and three bedroom apartments and four bedroom penthouses with refreshing plunge pools have stunning Mediterranean views whilst inside they are equipped with the latest in hi-tech domestic electrics including anti-intruder sensors and direct connections to the security control centre. Other interior features include fully fitted kitchens, underfloor heating throughout, satellite TV connections, telephone points in all bedrooms, living room and kitchen, safe in master bedroom and cream marble flooring.

Los Granados del Mar is on the doorstep of five star beachfront hotels such as the Kempinski and Las Dunas (both Leading Hotels of the World), whilst the beach, dining and shopping mecca of Laguna Village is also just minutes away. Puro Beach, inaugurated in 2006, is at the heart of Laguna Village with its on-beach swimming pool and chill-out beds and tents. The traditional port town of Estepona, with plenty of shops, eateries and relaxing portside cafés is a five minute drive, Marbella a 15 minute drive, and Málaga International Airport, less than an hour.

Prices start from 770,000 euros for a three bedroom first floor apartment.

Contact Duchy Estates on spain@duchyspain.com, visit www.duchyestates.co.uk or telephone UK freephone 0800 849 8089 or call the Spanish office on 00 34 952 906 944.

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for further press information or photography please contact Sarah Drane at sarah@purplecakefactory.com or telephone 00 34 607 564 726