Both Nerja and Torremolinos are applying for EU funding in an effort to cope with the number of projects that are necessary to bring tourist facilities up-to-date and make both holiday destinations even more attractive.
In Nerja, some 20 projects are currently in the planning, amounting to around 25 million euros of investment in the resort's future. In Torremolinos, some 36 projects are in the planning, to be completed over the next decade.
Improvements in infrastructure, services and attractions benefits not just Costa del Sol tourists, but also local residents, including residential tourists who come to stay in their Marbella properties or their Torremolinos or Nerja holiday homes for a few weeks or months every year. They leave a substantial amount of expenditure behind that benefits local economies - it's important to also remember that they are required by law to pay a property tax...and for that amount of money they expect to see regular maintenance and updates carried out.
Nerja's 20 Project Plan
One of the 20 projects is the River Chillar development that could potentially receive funding from the European Commission's "Horizon 2020" programme.
The council's three-party coalition, consisting of IU, PSOE and EVA-Podemos, has put forward a package of 20 projects with a budget of 25 million euros. Head of the Council, Jorge Bravo, has admitted that the maximum amount the EU Commission could award to Nerja would be just 5 million euros, which obviously leaves a massive shortfall.
While one scheme is for the recovery of a longer stretch of an original Roman pavement, others are more environment-oriented, such as the installation of artificial reefs along the coast which would lure more scuba divers to the area, not to mention benefit sea creatures who make their home in artificial reefs. One of the most important projects surrounds the environmental upgrade of the Rio Chillar area and the creation of an artificial lake in an abandoned mine near Los Cahorros.
This would create another inland attraction and valuable habitat for flora and fauna. The creation of a marina on the shores between El Chucho and El Playazo beaches in another important project Nerja hopes to receive funding for.
Creating more free Wi-Fi posts in Nerja town centre and the creation of a summer festival to complement the established event at the Nerja Caves are also important tourist-related improvements Nerja Town Hall is considering worthy of EU funding. Residents of the Capistrano estate will also be pleased that the council want to create a green belt around their habitat, protecting them from further development right on their doorstep.
In addition to these projects, Nerja Town Hall has created a questionnaire, accessibly via www.nerja.org under the link " Estrategia de Desarrollo Urbano de Nerja", where residents can vote for the proposed schemes in order of importance, from one to ten.
Jorge Bravo said: "e are keen to include the participation of the locals in this.”
Torremolinos 36 Project Plan
Spread out over the next ten years, the 36 projects aim to improve the town's appearance and infrastructure. According to the Town Council's new urban planning strategy, one of the projects will be for a pedestrian zone in the town centre and will see existing buildings renovated, the establishment of a gastronomic market and the enlargement of green spaces where people can sit and relax.
The EU plan requires that towns with more than 200,000 residents can ask for a grant from the 5.5 billion euros the European Regional Development Fund has available for viable projects. If Torremolinos is successful in its bid, the EU funding could provide as much as 80% towards the projects envisaged.
There are two things in favour of either resort receiving financial help from the EU. Andalucía is a priority zone and Torremolinos has never applied for funding from the European Regional Development Fund before. If Torremolinos's application proves unsuccessful, the town's council will ask for funding from the Diputación, Malaga’s provincial government, and the Junta de Andalucía so that the town centre can be become a pedestrian zone.
Torremolinos's Town Council has a new strategic Plan
At the heart of the projects is, of course, urban regeneration of the town. A pedestrian zone in the town centre together with repairs done to the historic buildings and their facades will not only tempt more local residents back into the town centre but also appeal to tourists. The council also plans to get to grips with transport issues such as more parking spaces, a central bus station and bicycle lanes.
In addition, more urban green spaces are to be created, such as a series of allotments, and improved cultural and sporting areas.
Mayor José Ortiz stated recently: “Residents are keen to recover the town centre as a place for leisure activities and also for shopping.”
In either January or February 2016, the town council's latest vision for the resort is to be strengthened with new planning legislation.
Marbella's Walkway Troubles
Meanwhile, in neighbouring Marbella the legal wrangling over the Coral Beach pinewood walkway continues. Popular with walkers and joggers, the 80-metre long walkway connects the coastal stretch of Coral Beach and Rio Verde and was initially installed for the opening state of the Vuelta a España. It had received a special temporary licence by the Demarcación de Costas for the international cycling event hosted on 22nd August. This licence expired in October, but the structure is still not disassembled, because Marbella Council has started discussions to keep the walkway as a permanent addition to Coral Beach's amenities.
Marbella residents continue to use the walkway enthusiastically, both for walking and running. The 80-metre long stretch of pinewood cost ca. 200,000 euros to build and the regular use by residents has not escaped Marbella's council. They will use this argument to keep the walkway where it is. Already they have asked for the permit to be extended while plans are under review.
As a permanent fixture, the walkway could only remain if it were to be relocated further inland. At present, the boardwalk is exposed to challenging weather conditions right by the sea. Moving the structure is difficult, though. A breakwater and various other hurdles must first be overcome before the boardwalk can be moved.
If permission were granted by the Demarcación de Costas, the Coral Beach walkway would become part of the "Senda Litoral", a project aiming to create a coastal path that runs from Manilva to Nerja, linking all the resorts in between so that residents and tourists alike can walk or cycle from resort to resort.