Spanish coast disappears under concrete at rate of 3 pitches a day

06/26/2007
"Land used by councils and regions does not reflect the general interest but rather those of private individuals," Greenpeace said in its 2007 report. "Building has become a potent economic engine."

Local councils are to blame for the destruction of Spain's coastline, which is disappearing under concrete at a rate of three soccer pitches a day, Greenpeace said on Tuesday.

The environmental campaign group said seaside town halls and regional governments would cause irreversible damage if allowed to carry out plans to build 3 million new houses along Spain's 5,000 km (3,100 mile) coast over the next few years.

Local councils also want to build 202,000 hotel spaces, 316 golf courses and 102 new marinas, it said.

Even tourism bosses admit rapid urban growth along Spain's Mediterranean shore threatens the industry's long term future.

"Land used by councils and regions does not reflect the general interest but rather those of private individuals," Greenpeace said in its 2007 report on the state of Spain's coasts. "Building has become a potent economic engine."

The group pointed out that police were investigating almost 100 cases of corruption connected to illegal building around the coast, involving 55 town mayors.

Last week the European Parliament condemned Spain for the disastrous impact of development on the Mediterranean coast.

Greenpeace said local officials continuously delayed plans to end the pumping of raw sewerage into the sea.