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Sala Pleads Innocent |
The mayor of San Antonio, Jose Sala, officially declared his innocence as he attended court on Monday. He stands accused, along with the former highways councillor at the Island Council, Stella Matutes, of using insider knowledge in agreeing a building project. The case refers to the awarding of ses Variades, the area at the back of the town centre, next to the fruit market, as a buildable area (urbano). Just days before the new Land Use Plan was agreed, the mayor signed the permit for a massive new residential complex, although the land was still classified as unbuildable when permission was given. Just four days later the new Land Use Plan, which revealed the blueprint of the municipal, was passed after 14 of the 16 councillors voted in favour.
Sala said the agreement which was made between the Town Hall and the promoter, Realia Business, was legal and had been voted for by members of all the different political parties. He added that he had only ever done what he thought would benefit the municipality, and said he was confident of being found innocent. The plans for the area include the building of a 469-apartment complex, as well as a marina, which is where the Matutes family are connected. On leaving court Sala said he was still unsure what would happen to the area, which is currently under scrutiny as the Town Hall redo the new Land Use Plan of the borough. He said he hoped it could remain urbano, (buildable), as anyone who knew the area was aware of the problems the site currently caused. At the moment the area falls under the new legislation introduced earlier this year by the Island Council which ensured the protection of several areas in Ibiza, including ses Variades. Sala revealed he had sent a report to the Council in which he called on them to annul the legislation, claiming it did not fall under their jurisdiction and undermined their authority. Stella Matutes is due to declare in the same trial on 28th July. |
New Cemetery |
The Town Hall admitted on Tuesday that it would not be building a crematorium, as originally planned, next to the new cemetery in Can Coix. Late last year the mayor, Jose Sala, revealed his administration were going to build the island's first crematorium. Until now, anyone wishing to be cremated has been sent to Mallorca.The announcement came as the new project became available to view in the Island Council building. However, despite the fact that these plans contain a crematorium, Councillor Vicente Costa confirmed this part of the project would not be included due to the number of complaints received by neighbours in the area. He added that this original model had been put on public display in the Island Council simply because they could not afford to waste any more time in the planning stage, as the building of a new cemetery was urgent. The facility will have places for 3,350 coffins over a surface area of 6,406 m2. |
Stage One Complete |
The first phase of the new reforms in the marina at San Antonio was completed last week. The director of Club Nautico, Juan Rosello, said everything, at the moment, was going to plan. The work has currently stopped because of the start of the tourist season, but it will commence again in October and hopefully finish by May 2009, several months ahead of schedule.The plans include a number of new jetties which will help increase the size of the installation by 28.8 per cent. This will ensure the 377 berths currently available increasing to 578. It will also be possible for boats of up to 30 metres to use the port, whereas until now the limit has been 17metres. |
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