Beach of Es Trenc
The famous beach of “Es Trenc”, a beach of more than four kilometers in the south coast of Mallorca, is endangered by an immense development project promoted as a response to the crisis by the local government of the Balearic Islands. Praised as an important project of "regional interest", the construction of a huge hotel complex, including a giant enclave of 1,200 beds, plus a golf course and multi-sports areas, is planned at the pristine part of El Arenal de Sa Ràpita-Es Trenc.
The area comprises of coastline, with dunes, wetlands and salt flats, hosts an important stop-off site for migrating birds and is protected by Spanish and EU legislation. More specifically, the site is designated as SCI and SPA under the EU’s Habitats and Birds Directives (code no ES0000037) and a Site of Scientific Interest under the Law of Extremadura. The site’s important habitat types are listed in the EUNIS database.
According to José Ramón Bauzá, President of the Balearic Islands local government, “the project will bring revenue into the coffers of the City and workplaces will be created." The Balearic Government states that the project which will lead an investment of €120 million, 1,000 workers will be employed during the construction phase and the complex will eventually create 300 jobs.
Sources: WWF Spain, Parliamentary Question by Miquel Mayol i Raynal (Verts/ALE), El Pais