Axarquia • Issue No. 2042 • 22 - 28 August 2024
FREE
ILMAINEN
GRATIS
GRATIS
GRATIS
VRIJ
ON the Costa Tropical, a heated debate has emerged over two proposed wind farm projects, ‘La Pinta’ and ‘Albaicín’, which has sparked significant local concern. The projects, currently under review by Spain’s Ministry for Ecological Transition, plan to install 165 wind turbines, each 271 metres tall, seven kilometres offshore from Sacratif Lighthouse. These turbines would be visible from Almerimar to Torrox, raising questions about their potential impact. Residents argue that the large turbines could severely affect the region’s coastal landscape and marine environment. They worry about possible damage to local wildlife, including marine species, and the negative effects on vital sectors such as tourism and fishing. The proposed sites also include areas of interest for conservation, including the
Celebrating wine and tradition.
nemaking traditions. Throughout the day, Competa’s streets were filled with celebrations featuring local folk music and dance. Performances included traditional dances called ‘verdiales’ and ‘fandangos,’ showcasing the cultural richness of the area. Attendees enjoyed a feast of ‘migas,’ a traditional dish of brea-
dcrumbs and cod, along with fresh salad. As the evening approached, the plaza buzzed with activity, drawing large crowds to celebrate. The event not only provided a festive atmosphere but also offered a chance to experience Competa’s unique blend of local culture and exceptional Moscatel wines.
Wind farm debate
G GRATIS
LIVREE
FFREE
GRATIS S
GRATUIT G
A RECENT Tinsa report highlights Velez-Malaga as experiencing the second-largest rise in housing prices among Spain’s coastal towns. With a 10.7 per cent increase, the town is surpassed only by Orihuela, which leads nationally. This increase reflects a broader trend of rising property values, with 70 per cent of towns and cities studied showing annual price growth above the national average. In the second quarter of 2024, Velez-Malaga saw a significant 6.8 per cent increase in housing prices, the highest recorded during this period. Other towns with notable price increases include Motril, Cartagena, and Vigo, all seeing substantial gains. The current national average for housing prices stands at €1,778 per square metre. Madrid as usual tops the list with the highest prices at €3,833 per square metre. Coastal cities and towns like Marbella and Benidorm, along with city areas around Madrid, Barcelona, and the Basque Country, are also among the most expensive. This upward trend highlights the growing appeal of coastal and city areas in Spain’s real estate market. For buyers, these rising prices mean that securing property in popular areas like Velez-Malaga may require acting quickly and budgeting more than anticipated. Increased competition and higher costs could impact affordability and availability. For sellers, the increase in prices presents a favourable opportunity to capitalise on increased property values.
Image: Shutterstock/ BAHDANOVICH ALENA Image: Shutterstock/ Tom Whitfield
RECENTLY the village of Competa hosted its 49th annual event The Night of Moscatel Wine, a vibrant celebration dedicated to the local wine and grape harvest. This event honours the region’s rich viticultural heritage with a range of traditional activities centred around winemaking. The festivities began with a traditional grape pressing demonstration, where participants stomped grapes to extract juice in a time-honoured method. This practice harks back to earlier winemaking techniques when the initial juice from the stomping was considered superior to that from later pressings. Following the grape-pressing, the gathered grape bunches were pressed to obtain a secondary juice, further highlighting the region’s wi-
GRATUITO
Velez-Malaga price spike Image: Competa Town Hall
The Night of Wine
FREI
Rising coastal prices drive market.
Wind project draws protest.
Calahonda-Castell de Ferro cliffs, which are part of the Natura 2000 network, raising additional environmental concerns. In response, local groups have organised a protest scheduled for Friday August 23 in Torrenueva Costa.
The demonstration aims to draw attention to their concerns and urge authorities to reconsider the projects. They also highlight potential issues with pollution and environmental degradation during and after construction.
on 13