EU worry over Spain eases

The incipient panic about Europe's debt crisis seems to have subsided into mere pessimism this week, with the euro rebounding and investors encouraged by political leaders' new willingness to take quick action to calm market fears.

The big underlying issues haven't been erased: Spain is still dogged by speculation it may eventually need a rescue plan similar to the bailout already given to Greece. And many governments are cutting back on welfare programs and other spending to chip away at their heavy debt burdens — and sometimes facing street protests as a result.

Spanish labour reforms to lower unemployment

Spain's parliament has ratified labour reforms designed to bring down high unemployment.

Measures include promoting youth employment and cutting the cost of firing workers, which critics say makes employers reluctant to hire more staff.

Changes to the labour law follow spending cuts introduced last month in a bid to cut the large budget deficit.

Spanish property prices under pressure until 2012

The Spanish property market correction will run into 2012, with prices down by 30% in total, say ratings agents Fitch.

Spanish property prices haven’t fallen enough, according to a new report from Fitch Ratings.

Property in Spain will not recover until mid-2011

Back in 2007, Spain was partying like it was 1999 on the back of a real estate bubble. After the fiesta came the hangover, which the Bank of Spain (BoS) now says will keep the real estate sector in recession until mid-2011 at least.

La Cala de Mijas

La Cala resort is located in the municipality of Mijas on the Costa del Sol in Southern Spain.
It is a residential/recreational area located between Marbella and Fuengirola. La Cala is recognised by the Royal Spanish Golf Federation as the largest golf complex in the country. It has 60 holes of golf.

Municipality of Mijas

Mijas is a municipality located in the province of Malaga in Andalusia in Southern Spain. The heart of the municipality is Mijas Pueblo (where the town hall is located) and is located 450 metres above the mean sea level. Although a wealthy town, the village has kept its Andalusia character by maintaining itself as a white-washer village. There are building limits and all buildings must be white.

Benalmadena transformation moves into next phase

“We’re making extremely good progress with our urban regeneration and revitalisation programme,” says Mayor of Benalmádena, Enrique Moya. “We’re continuing in our efforts to enhance the social, economic and commercial dynamics of Arroyo de la Miel and beyond.

Sanitation improved on two of Benalmadena Costa's busiest beaches

Benalmádena Town Hall has undertaken a series of scheduled improvements to the drainage system on Malapesquera and Torrebermeja beaches. The work, valued at nearly 40,000 euros is to try and stop overflows from the septic tanks by the increased use of the toilet and shower facilities during the high season

Height of a building raises concern in Benalmadena Pueblo

The height of a residential building in Calle Lomilla, Benalmádena Pueblo, is once again causing concern for local residents and councillors. Members of the socialistopposition party, PSOE, held a meeting with residents to echo their dissatisfaction regarding the alleged height increase of the second phase of the Jacaranda development. PSOE spokesman, Javier Carnero, said that in 2007, work on the project was halted and the developer vowed to reduce the building by one storey and two basement levels. Carnero now accuses Jesús Fortes, the current Town Planning Councillor, of “ignoring the decree and granting the original licence regardless.”

Source: Benalmadena property news

New plans for cleaner Benalmadena Costa beaches

Rafael Obrero, the Councillor for Beaches, has confirmed the Town Hall’s intention to have “beaches in perfect condition all year round,” by putting the beach maintenance contract out to tender. The company which is awarded the job will have a budget of 550,000 euros per year for the next four years.

Works on Pueblosol complex in Benalmadena to be resumed

Alter more than tour years, work has resume don the Pueblosol Project in the Heart of Arroyo de la Miel. The privately owned venture, which includes an underground car park for 820 cars, a tree-lined boulevard and a shopping centre, was put on hold in 2006 after nearly a decade of delays and obstacles.
In January, the Town Hall stepped in as a mediator between the two companies who are carrying out the project after internal talks had failed to produce any agreement to move forward. “This project is key to the development and revitalization of Arroyo de la Miel,” said the Mayor, Enrique Moya, during a visit to the site with the bosses of Spanish property group Tremón, and the constructor Comsa.

Benalmadena kennel threatens the restoration of the quarry

The restoration of the old quarry in Monte Calamorro has not yet even started and already it’s problematic. Aripresa the company who will carry out the project to turn the quarry into a large public park, has said that before work can begin they require the removal of a 6,000 square municipal kennels and the dismantling of a power line. The Town Hall will now have to find another location for the kennels which houses about 300 hunting dogs belonging to 50 different owners within the municipality. The move is already fraught with complications as the General Urban Plan does not include land which is able to be used for this type of activity.

Source: Benalmadena property news

Benalmadena Pueblo's new park revealed

La Finca de Los Limones in Benalmadena Pueblo is set to become one of the municipality’s largest public green spaces under initiatives set out by Town Planning Councillor; Jesus Fortes. The project will cost more than a million euros and according to Fortes, will be “green lung” for the town as well as preserving “important historical features of the village,” including the disused mill. It is also believed the new park will feature an outdoor gym for use by older residents in the area.

Benalmadena medical centre’s location agreed

he location of the new medical centre in Benalmádena Pueblo has now been confirmed. The Town Hall has always made it clear that it would be situated at the junction of Avenida Juan Luis Peralta and Calle Feria, but it has not been until now that they have managed to agree a deal with the owners of the desired historic buildings to house the centre. In exchange for the premises, the existing proprietors will take over a 524 square metre plot of land in the Arroyo de la Miel Industrial Estate, which can be used for commercial or industrial purposes. According to municipal sources, the plot of land is of a lower value than the building in the Pueblo, so the Town Hall will pay the owners the 7,000 euros difference.

Source: Benalmadena property news

Major Benalmadena project in Arroyo de la Miel to re-start after 10 years

“It is magnificent news for everyone in Benalmádena,” said a jubilant Enrique Moya, Mayor of Benalmádena, on announcing work on the Pueblosol project in Arroyo de la Miel will resume within a month. The venture, which has suffered from paralysis for a decade, is to include an underground car park for 868 vehicles, a shopping area and an “elegant town boulevard.”

The Expansion of Puerto Marina is still in doubt

“They have been talking about this idea of expanding the marina for years but nothing has seen the light of day,” say Johanna Lindstrom whose yacht has been moored in Benalmádena’s port for 10 years. “Maybe one day we’ll start to see movement but I’m not holding my breath.” The ambitious expansion venture was first launched at the end of the 1990s under the-mayor; Enrique Bolín. Since then, however the plans have not moved forward. In fact, they have recently moved a step backwards as the study into the environmental impact of the project, which was approved by the Ministry of Environment in 2002, has now expired. Should there be a desire to expand Puerto Marina, another detailed study would now need to be carried out and subsequently approved.

Benalmadena's Pew Plans for six million from State Fund

The Town Hall has been setting out its plans for the six million euros received from the State Fund. “About 20 percent of this budget will be for Social Services”, said the Mayor; Enrique Moya. About another million euros will be used to modernise the municipality’s technological infrastructure; the Youth Centre will receive 1.5 million to update its facilities; and sports amenities including the pavilion in Benalmádena Pueblo, the Tomillar football pitch and the Arroyo de la Miel sports centre will also benefit. “In the area of education, we’ll concentrate mainly on the Miguel Hernández primary school. We will also work with the recommendations to remodel the “Casa de Cultura,” added Enrique Moya.

Source: Benalmadena property news

The oasis areas in Benalmadena Costa will be completed for December

New “oasis-style” zones are being developed along the main tourist areas of Benalmádena Costa. Mature palm trees and rockeries will be planted on over 400 square metres of beach, namely on Playas Santa Ana and Las Gaviotas. These tow areas have a large number of foreign-owned restaurants and bars along the Costa del Sol, attracting what the Town Hall described as “a significant number of overseas holidaymakers”.

Mijas-Fuengirola initiative to improve traffic flow

An agreement signed between Fuengirola and Mijas Town Halls, the Junto de Andalucía and El Corte Inglés, means a notorious traffic hot spot on the A-387 is soon to be resolved.

The project, which will cost five million euros to complete, will include the construction of two additional lanes where La Loma connects with Avenida Clemente Díaz, one of the main arteries into Fuengirola; as well as two further roundabouts, one on each side of A-7 motorway.

Road resurfacing campaign started in Fuengirola

This week, the Town Hall has begun a major new road resurfacing project, which aims to improve several key streets in the municipality.

New roundabout to prevent accidents in Torreblanca

A new roundabout which aims to improve road safety for drivers entering the town from the old N340, has been opened by the Mayor, Esperanza Oña. At the inauguration on Avenida Carvajal, the Mayor stressed the structure’s importance due to the “many accidents which have occurred in this area.”

The new Finland Centre in Fuengirola is opened by Minister and Ambassador

Finland’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Alexander Stubb, has flown to the Costa del Sol to inaugurate the new Finland Centre in Fuengirola. The Minister was joined by the country’s Ambassador in Spain, Markku Keinanen, as well as the Mayor of Fuengirola, Esperanza Oña.

Fuengirola shops will not need an opening licence in the future

Starting a business will be somewhat easier from now in Fuengirola, at least in regards to municipal permits. In response to a European Union directive, this month, the Town Hall will bring in a change to its rules, meaning that shops do not have to apply for the traditional opening licence.

Wells provide 80% of Fuengirola parks’ water

The Councillor for Parks, María Jesús Pascial, has said that almost 80 percent of the water now used for irrigating the town’s parks and green areas is water from wells that would be unsafe for human consumption. This initiative of using water from such resources forms part of the Town Hall’s environmental plan which was launched last year. “This scheme demonstrates the council’s dedication to saving water,” said Pascual. 11 out of 17 of Fuengirola’s main parks are currently operating this system.

Source: Fuengirola property news

Major leisure complex withdrawn from Fuengirola urban plan

Las Isla del Sol, a leisure complex that would occupy an area of 100,000 square metres of land reclaimed by the sea, was to be the new star project in Fuengirola. However; a report in the environmental impact of the venture said it would have a negative effect on the beaches in Los Boliches. The project was then immediately removed from the new General Urban Plan which was provisionally approved last week. Despite the exclusion, the Town Hall is reluctant to give up on the project. “We’re not relinquishing La Isla del Sol, despite its withdrawal. We hope that it can become a reality in the future with some amendments,” said councillor Ana Mula.

Source: Fuengirola property news

New Fuengirola development approved

After three years, and after finally receiving the approval of the provincial Department of Housing, the Fuengirola Town Hall has unanimously agreed to give the go ahead to the development of a 61,000 square metre plot for residential purposes.

21 Fuengirola projects to Benefit from state funds

Esperanza Oña, the Mayor of Fuengirola, has announced details of the 21 projects in Fuengirola which will receive funding from the 7.4 million euros assigned to the municipality in the state’s second ‘Plan E’. Unlike the first Plan, this time the money is not allowed to be allocated for the redevelopment of roads or town squares, but instead to be used for environmental or technological improvements; social, cultural or sports centres; and Social Services, as well as several other categories.

Fuengirola aims to become one hundred percent accessible

The vast majority of pedestrians do not even think about them, but for those with mobility problems, the curbs and slopes found on pedestrian crossings can sometimes be challenging and often insurmountable.
However these problems faced by disabled pedestrians will soon be destined to history in Fuengirola. The Town Hall has said it aspires to become, in the words of the Mayor; Esperanza Oña, “the town with the least number of architectural barriers and the most accessible in Andalucía.”

Electricity pylons to be dismantled in Los Pacos

For many years the Town Hall has been eager to remove the electricity pylons in and around the residential area of Los Pacos. Thanks to a project which sees greater investment for local communities being approved towards the end of the year; this will now become a reality and the pylons are already being dismantled. About a 1,000 metres of cable are now running underground between the nearby school, Valdelecrín, and Pajares stream.

Major Fuengirola road works to finish soon

The works to renovate the old N-340 road that runs through the centre of Fuengirola are drawing to a close. It is hoped the reforms will be completely finished before the end of the year, with the majority before Christmas. With a budget of 737,000 euros, the works that are taking place on Avenida de Los Boliches, one of the town’s main traffic arteries, are of “major importance,” according to the Town Hall.

The project on the stretch of road between the river and Calle Rondeñas Parejas, on Avenida de Los Boliches, has been to completely redevelop the surface, the look of the area, as well as to improve the underground infrastructure of the road. The works, affecting an area of 3,500 square metres, include the refurbishment of all supply networks (drainage, drinking water and irrigation, street lighting and electricity, telephone and gas) and street furniture.

New skating park in Fuengirola

A new skate park near the Miramar shopping centre promises to be a huge draw as it set out to rival similar parks in Sweden and Germany. Set on a plot of 5,828 square metres, the Skate Park, which will be officially inaugurated in a few weeks, will become one of the largest youth-orientated leisure facilities in the municipality of Fuengirola.


Ana Mula, Fuengirola´s councillor for Town Planning, said “it would offer a unique space for young people to skate board, BMX ride or roller-blade. They are growing activities and now we have provided the best new facilities.”

Fuengirola

Fuengirola is a large town and municipality located at the heart of the Costa del Sol in the province of Malaga. It is a major tourist destination with 8 km of beaches and has a variety of cultural/historical attractions and an average annual temperature of 18°C.


Before talking about the current town, let’s go over a bit of its history. Near the town by the Castillo Sohail contains remains of an early ‘Ibero-Punic’ or Phoenician settlement, which at some undefined point became occupied by the Romans. During this period the town was known as Suel and was mentioned in the writings of Pompunius Mela as a coastal town, by Pliny as an oppidum (fortified town) and by Ptolemy.

Property Market

The summer months are traditionally a quiet time in the Real Estates business on the Costa del Sol as many of the people who visit the area are primarily in holiday mode. Beach, sangria and nightlife are the main concerns with little thought given over to property purchases.


This years appears to be different though. Although no claim is being made in regards to record number of sales or any such nonsense, there has definitely been an increase in property requests and enquiries both via the website and through passing trade. This has both been for commercial businesses (restaurants, bars, offices, etc…) both freehold and leasehold throughout the Costa del Sol, and for residential property, mainly in Fuengirola and the surrounding areas (Mijas Costa and Benalmadena Costa).