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The Town Council of Águilas has taken another step forward in a large-scale coastal development plan that could see up to 2,000 new homes built in the Niágara area, located near the Isla del Fraile island.

 

The initiative, backed by developer Aliseda SAU and other investors, covers more than 415,000 square metres, with nearly half of that area designated for construction.

 

The council has put the initial approval documents for the modification of the Niágara Plan Parcial on public display, allowing 20 days for comments and objections. Deputy Mayor and Councillor for Infrastructure, José Luis Moreno, clarified that the final number of homes would depend on several factors, including the size of individual units and land usage rules.

 

The proposal for the urbanisation has been reviewed by regional authorities, including the Department of Environment and Development of the Autonomous Community, which gave its approval but imposed several conditions to mitigate the environmental impact of the project.

 

Chief among these requirements is the need for studies on local flora and fauna before any ground is broken. Specifically, a botanical survey must be carried out to identify any protected plant species. If found, developers will be obliged to preserve them, or if necessary, transplant them under official supervision.

 

A separate survey will focus on terrestrial wildlife, particularly the Olive Ridley sea turtle, a protected species known in Spanish as ‘tortuga mora’. Should any turtles or other land animals be found in the area, a strict protocol involving temporary relocation and environmental agents must be followed.

 

In terms of infrastructure, the environmental agency has recommended strategies to reduce flood risk and soil sealing, including the separation of rainwater and sewage networks, the creation of infiltration areas and the installation of water storage tanks.

 

While the plan has cleared regulatory hurdles so far, environmental groups such as ANSE and Ecologistas en Acción have voiced the opinion that the development should be subjected to a full environmental impact assessment. Authorities maintain that when the Partial Plan was originally presented in 2003, such an assessment was not legally required.

 

The Niágara development is not the only major housing project on the horizon for Águilas. TM Grupo Inmobiliario is also advancing with the Playa de La Cola project, which proposes the construction of 2,313 tourist homes with a total investment of €307 million over the next decade. Environmental studies for that scheme are currently underway.

 

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