Dramatic U turn by town council
In little more than a month there have been dramatic events related to the proposed waste recycling and landfill covering an area the size of around 50 football pitches planned for the pristine valleys of Canillas de Aceituno.
Although the plan had been shrouded in secrecy, residents discovered the intent by chance and immediately spread the word to neighbours in surrounding communities. Within weeks, 1366 signatures were collected protesting the plan and submitted to the Junta de Andalucía along with environmental and legal objections.
Access to information denied
A small delegation visited the mayor within days of first discovering the plan and were told there was no further information about the project and that they had not received a request to proceed from the Junta. Residents requested related documentation from the Ayuntamiento but were refused several times despite the Law of Transparency granting the right to information.
Multiple zones for processing waste
This huge complex would have multiple zones for processing metal, plastics, electrical machines, bio waste, general waste etc as well a huge landfill. An estimated equivalent of 50 football fields would be covered by the plant.
The Ayuntamiento stated several times that there could be no investigation into the project or objection about it until it had been requested by the Junta de Andalucía.
Ayuntamiento refused to support the protest
After a second meeting with the mayor who again refused to support the protest, residents began discussions with opposition parties who did support their outrage against the project that would bring countless heavy trucks onto the narrow winding roads and untold environmental impact to the community and wildlife. Although the mayor has finally given his support to stop the project, we need to keep collecting signatures! Information has been kept from us previously we need to be sure the Junta is listening to the community to stop this. Please sign the petition!
Illegal roads already built
Roads have been built throughout the proposed site for the recycling plant and landfill, which the mayor claimed were illegal and did not have permission. However, we have not been given access to documents which support the mayor’s claim that they denounced the illegally built roads to SEPRONA.
Documents signed by the mayor about the project in 2019
Despite also being refused access to documentation, PSOE were finally given some related information after threatening legal action showing that Mayor Vicente Campos had actually signed off the project as being compatible with the proposed rural valleys and would be beneficial to the town. When the PSOE findings were published (Spanish and English) the mayor’s response was to issue a statement that he would not give permission for it to proceed. VOX also submitted an objection to the Junta de Andalucía protesting the planned location for the site and procedural irregularities.
Since the allegations were made about the mayor signing key documents, he has made a statement that they will no longer support the project going ahead as they have (somehow) been able to complete an investigation into the project and it will now be rejected. He has declared the case closed. There are however many questions remaining in the eyes of residents who protested the project so strongly. This case is most certainly not closed.
Follow updates on our progress here…
