New Sewage Treatment Plant Approved

A new sewage treatment plant for Los Alcazares has been approved by The National Ministry of the Environment. The new plant will be built on the same site as the existing plant, which has recently been pushed beyond its capacity. The Ministry of the Environment highlighted in the Environmental Impact Study that the new plants design met all environmental stipulations and would prevent any waste from polluting the Mar Menor.

Sam Torrance Opens Roda Golf Course

Thursday 28th September saw the official inauguration, by Sam Torrance, of the Roda Golf Course. Designed to the highest professional standards, by Dave Thomas, one of the most prestigious golf course designers in Europe, it features a full 18-hole par 72 course, plus a driving range and practise putting greens. It also incorporates three strategically located lakes.

Sam Torrance commented that the course was one of the best he had seen in Spain and possibly in Europe and that he was delighted to accept the position of “Official Captain”. He also confirmed that he visits Spain as often as he can to play golf and that he enjoys the region so much that he owns two holiday homes in the area. Sam thinks that the Murcia region is a perfect environment in which to play golf and is encouraging of young talent in the area.

The golf course is an integral part of the residential complex Roda Golf and Beach Resort.

Leroy Merlin opens for business in Murcia

A brand new Leroy Merlin superstore opened its doors on Wednesday 4th October in Parque Mediterraneo, the new retail park on the outskirts of Cartagena. Leroy Merlin, specialists in home furnishings and DIY supplies, has invested €4.3 million in the superstore, which occupies a whopping 8,300 square metres, employs 150 people and sells over 40,000 items. It will open from 10am to 10pm Monday to Saturday.

The Managing Director of Leroy Merlin, Daniel Iriarte, stated, "The region of Murcia is growing, and we would like to be part of this growth. That is why we have invested €10 million in building this store and the one in Murcia, which will open in the next few days."

New Football Stadium opens in Murcia

A new football stadium, designed by Spanish architect Jaime López-Amor, will open in Murcia this evening, Wednesday 11th October, with a friendly game between Spain and Argentina.

The stadium is part of the much larger Nueva Condomina, a huge Commercial and Leisure complex a few miles north of the capital city.

The brand new stadium has a capacity of 32,000 people, parking for 12,000 cars and complies with all FIFA and UEFA regulations.

Tourism up 25% in Murcia

The number of people arriving at Murcia’s San Javier Airport continues to grow strongly. The latest figures, for the year-to-date, show an increase of 25%, compared with the same period last year.

These statistics follow various news reports about the increasing number of tourists visiting the area. Hotel and restaurant owners in San Javier, Los Alcazares, Cartagena and Mazarron, for example, reported all-time record numbers for the Easter holiday earlier in the year, to the extent that they had to turn people away.

New Hospital for San Javier

San Javier Council members and officials from the Autonomous Community have decided to donate a 100,000 square metre plot of land for the building of a new hospital in San Javier. The new hospital will eventually replace 'Los Arcos', the one currently being used as the main treatment centre for the Mar Menor Area.
Construction of the new hospital is part of a greater social welfare plan approved and adopted by the Murcian Regional Government for 2007-2013. Economists, in collaboration with the University of Murcia, will be gathering statistical information from the new hospital every quarter, in order to help them obtain accurate information as to the growth of the area.

Half-constructed buildings to be demolished

Twelve half constructed buildings are to be demolished, nine in the municipality of Pilar de la Horadada and three in Mil Palmeras, as not enough land has been left between the buildings and the coastal strip. The Government is making a serious effort to ensure the integrity of the coastal strip, which is designated as public space not to be subjected to private development.

The construction company concerned will be responsible for both the demolition of the buildings and for the construction of the new section of promenade and the associated green areas agreed by the Town Council. The company will not lose out altogether though, as they are to be allowed to build a low density (two storey) urbanisation near to the protected land, but in an area where development is allowed.