By David Jackson
Opposition MPs from the C’s party are trying to force a debate in the regional parliament over a tender for a chiringuito and shop on virgin Mónsul beach deep within the Cabo de Gata nature park. The party describes the tender as “alarming” and “against the public will”.
Earlier this month the regional government dismissed a petition with more than 30,000 signatures against the bar. Antonio Martinez from the environment ministry said the basis of the petition was “demonstrably false… attracting signatures under false pretences”.
The tender calls for a combined bar, restaurant, shop, public toilets and information centre. It is to be sited within an existing building behind the beach that used to be a Guardia Civil barracks.
The Friends of the park association said it was in favour of public conveniences at the beach, but feared the current project was too ambitious. It has filed a complaint with the Andalucía’s public ombudsman requesting a review.