The proposed new Health Centre in Nerja is looking more like another ‘epic fail’ as each day passes, bogged down by administrative delays, problems and disputes in much the same way as the proposed sewage plant.
One has to wonder why administrations enter into and sign agreements without apparently checking to see if the land to be used is suitable, available or appropriately classified.
In 2003, Nerja Council signed an agreement with the Department of Health to fund, on a 50-50 basis, a new Health Centre in the town. The proposed site was by the roundabout leading down to Burriana beach.
In 2007, both sides agreed that a new site was necessary and Nerja Council offered a plot of land almost opposite. This, however, turned out to be classified as a ‘green zone’. The Council arranged for the reclassification of the land but this was vetoed by the Advisory Council of Andalucia because it did not comply with the terms of the Urban Planning Act (LOUA).
In 2008, Nerja Council offered the option of five new sites for the Health Centre (some of which, it has to be said, were totally unsuitable, such as the site of the Giner de los Rios Centre in calle Diputacion) and the Health Department appear to have chosen the site down by the rio Chillar.
At the same time, Nerja Council objected to the initial 50-50 funding agreement and the Health Department agreed to fully fund the project, requesting the return of €1.2 million paid in advance to the municipality to finance the bidding process.
Nerja Council repaid the money, but deducted ‘expenses’ of around €200,000. The Junta de Andalucia did not appreciate this move and took the matter to court.
The latest new site on the rio Chillar was partly private owned, and the Council had to arrange to acquire the land from the various owners, doing so by offering alternative lands in developable areas of the municipality.
So, the land was now available and in the hands of the Junta de Andalucia who requested that the land be at least partially urbanised before construction of the new Health Centre could begin.
Nerja Council then spent €250,000 in preparing the 6,000 square metre plot ready for construction to begin. This was completed last May.
So, why hasn’t work started yet? Apparently, according to the Health Department, the land is currently classified as being for ‘educational’ purposes and therefore different criteria apply, making it unsuitable.
Nerja is waiting for approval (since June 2010) from the Junta de Andalucia regarding reclassification of the land.
The Mayor of Nerja, José Alberto Armijo, has now reportedly persuaded the Provincial Delegate for Planning, Enrique Benítez, to agree to commission a new legal opinion on the matter. The Provincial Delegate for Planning had, apparently, initially expressed opposition to such an idea.
One argument put forward by the Mayor is that the city of Estepona has ceded land for a CHARE on land classified as being for educational purposes and has experienced no problems.
It certainly looks like there is some mileage left in this (latest) saga. Eight years and still no sign of even a start to the construction of a Health Centre.