Mijas property

Environmental project ahead of schedule

Andrew Belles — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 13:18:56 +0000

The project to “environmentally restore” El Puerto de Mijas Quarry is noew entering its final stages. Despite being granted an extension until June to complete the project, the company, Sando, say they are ahead of schedule and it will be finished within six weeks.

So far, more than 13 terraces have been constructed; 2,500 out the planned 4,000 trees have been planted; and two wetlands of 200 and 500 square metres respectively have been created. “These wetlands are designed to help us protect amphibian species that are under threat,” said the Mayor, Antonio Sánchez.

The quarry occupies an area of 46,000 square metres, 17,000 of which will be used for recreational and sporting activities.

Source: Sur in English, March 19th to March 25th 2010

Urbanisations in Mijas demand greater allocation of funds

Andrew Belles — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 12:44:05 +0000

“Not one of the 7.6 millions euros which has been approved by the central government for Mijas will be spent in areas where the majority of people live,” says Anne Hernández, President of the Association of Urbanisations in Mijas (AUUM).

The AUUM, which works as a link between 37 urbanisations in the municipality and the Town Hall, is critical of the council’s allocation of funds, especially in regards to street lighting.

“2.7 million euros will be spent on 80 streets where there is already good lighting, which is paid for by all the residents of Mijas because they are public roads. However, there are hundreds of streets on urbanisations where the residents of the communities have to pay for the lighting themselves and at a much higher price too because they can’t get the cheaper rates which the councils can,” adds Hernández.

“Only a few urbanisations in the area have been able to get an agreement so that they can recover (aleit months or even years later) the cost of the electricity supply but never the maintenance or repairs.” It is believed that the areas of Las Lagunas, La Cala and Osunilla will receive the majority of the street lighting budget and that the council could save up to 80 percent on their electricity bill.

Source: Sur in English, March 19th to March 25th 2010 author: George Prior

Improvements to be made to stop power cuts

Andrew Belles — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 12:28:15 +0000

The electricity company, Sevillana-Endesa, has promised to “improve the supply” to several areas of Mijas Pueblo, following complaints from residents who have been suffering numerous blackouts over the last few weeks. The recent storms are being blamed for the cuts and surges in power.

Source: Sur in English, March 12th to 18th 2010

Two new power substations are given approval in Mijas

Andrew Belles — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:30:49 +0000

Two new power substations are to be built in Mijas to ensure “guaranteed power” in key areas of development: namely Las Lagunas and the area just north of La Cala.

“There are so many new properties being built around here that the existing power infrastructure just wouldn’t be able to cope,” says La Cala resident, Donald Barrie. “It’s already sometimes intermittent, especially in the summer months, when the higher population puts more demand on the electricity supply. Not only is it the extra tourists in hotels, but also there are many ‘second homes’ here and people tend to use them more in the summer,” he adds.

The first of the new substations is already underway as the building projects forced the electricity company to install a portable facility to provide an interim service before the permanent version is up and running to supply 20,000 new households in La Cala.

In addition, the power company, Endesa, has already received the green light from both the Junta de Andalucía and the Town Hall to build a second plant in Las Ventillas to provide enhanced coverage to the areas of major expansion such as Las Lagunas, Cerros del Aguila and Las Cañadas. “Anything to stop the power going off so much will be will be welcomed by most residents,” says Barrie.

Source: Sur in English, March 5th to March 11th 2010 author: George Prior

700 homes without the Licence of First Occupation are stuck in legal limbo

Andrew Belles — Fri, 05 Mar 2010 11:20:30 +0000

Political battle lines are being drawn in Mijas over the 700 properties in the Calahonda Royale development. Home owners in the urbanisation, which is located near the Mijas Costa/Marbella border, just north of the N340, have been waiting for over a decade to be granted the first occupancy licence, ‘licencia de primera ocupacíon.’

Last week a spokesman for the opposition party, Partido Popular (PP), said that it is to take the case to the Prosecutor in Malaga to clarify how this development went ahead “without adjustments to the 1995 General Urban Plan (‘PGOU’) being given approval.” The PSOE, the party which leads the Mijas Town Hall, has issued a statement saying that they would study the case but that it occurred “outside the current council’s time.”

“We just don’t know what is going on,” says one British resident who didn’t want to be named. “It’s a worrying time for people who own properties here as there are all sorts of rumours going around. Everyone pays their taxes and complies with all the regulations… and it is not the residents’ fault the authorities didn’t get their act together in the first place. Now we’re stuck in a kind of limbo.” Her neighbour, a Swedish tenant says, “The Parties are using where we live, our homes, as a political football. It is not fair.”

According to the PP, those responsible for the situation include the former Mayor, Agustín Moreno, the then Town Planning Councillor, Luis Vasco, and the department’s current leader, Juan Cruz, who they accuse of being an “accomplice.” In addition, the party claims the Junta de Andalucía “turned a blind eye” and “ignored their town planning supervision duties.”

“We invested nearly everything we had buying our place here and we’re really, really worried about what will happen next. It was meant to be peaceful retirement home for us; it was a long-standing dream and we’re not sure of anything any more,” says the British home owner. “It feels like the wind has been taken out of our sails a bit.”

“We’ve not had any problem with the contracting of the utility services, like water or electricity, so I cannot understand why, all of a sudden, this is coming up,” says the Swedish proprietor in Calahonda Royale. “Why are they doing this now? Maybe it is part of large-scale plan as there may be other places nearby in the same situation. If they’re doing this to us here, they should do it to everyone or it seems to be victimisation. But I love living here and want it all sorted.”

Source: Sur in English, March 5th to March 11th 2010 author: George Prior

Firms given more freedom on opening

Andrew Belles — Fri, 26 Feb 2010 15:38:45 +0000

Businesses in Mijas will have the freedom to open whenever they like over the Easter period and throughout the summer. As a municipality which sees a “great influx of tourists,” the Junta de Andalucía has renewed the agreement which allows work places to remain open during the public holidays in Semana Santa (‘Holy Week’) and from the 1st July to 15th September. The permit will remain in place until 2013 when the Town Hall will need to reapply for this classification. Mijas joins other towns including Benalmádena, Fuengirola and Nerja, who have been awarded the same status. Municipalities whose tourists outnumber the resident population at certain times of the year are eligible for this government-granted concession.

Source: Sur in English, February 26th to March 4th 2010

Bungalow for sale in Cerros de Aguila

Andrew Belles — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 15:08:59 +0000

Delightful 128 m² (1,378 ft²) villa/bungalow offering two spacious bedrooms and two bathrooms, lounge with separate dining room, covered porch terrace and surrounded by sunny terraces with covered outside BBQ / kitchen dining area. Located on a 835 m² (8,988 ft²) plot, it includes a separate guest accommodation plus private pool and garage, it is old furnished.

Currently on sale for 345,000€

For more details contact info@arribaestates.com

Villa for sale in Torrenueva in Mijas Costa

Andrew Belles — Mon, 22 Feb 2010 14:32:31 +0000

A delightful 3 bedroom villa is located in a quiet cul-de-sac close to the beach, shops and restaurants. Officially 152 m² (1,636 ft²) built, there is an additional 120m2 (1291 ft²) 2 bedroom apartment, with independent entrance. The plot measures 537 m² (5,780 ft²) and consists of a well manicured garden. Property is sold partially furnished.

Currently on sale for 349,000€

For more details contact info@arribaestates.com

Plans unveiled for a ‘Jurassic Park’ in Mijas

Andrew Belles — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:49:28 +0000

At the International Tourism Fair in Madrid, FITUR, Mijas Town Hall announced plans to create a ‘Jurassic Park.’ The Mayor, Antonio Sánchez, said three sites are being considered for the location for a scientific theme park that will be called ‘Jurapark Mijas,’ adding he hoped it would become a major tourist attraction for the municipality. “It’s an innovative concept that combines family entertainment and research and won’t be the usual type of park,” said Sánchez who went on to explain that it will have the backing of “international experts and first class institutions so that the content and activities are conducted with scientific rigour and at the same time, being very attractive to visitors.” At the presentation, the Mayor confirmed that palaeontologists will collaborate in the project to “recreate as faithfully as possible” the different species of dinosaurs.

Source: Sur in English, January 29th to February 4th 2010

Push for the embellishment of the historic village centre

Andrew Belles — Fri, 29 Jan 2010 10:37:54 +0000

A special meeting, called by the party in opposition, the Partido Popular (PP), has been held to discuss the image of Mijas Pueblo for tourists and visitors. The PP requested that the Town Hall pay greater attention to aesthetics in the area as it is a recognised Historical and Artistic Site and must fulfil certain obligations. A spokeswoman for the PP, Antonia Nuñez, said this issue must be monitored “to ensure the interests of residents and businesses of Mijas that live off the charm of the village.” The town Hall responded by naming the streets currently being re-modelled under the ‘Plan Qualificada’ scheme.

Source: Sur in English, January 29th to February 4th 2010