€2,500 million in the POT

(Agencies) Further to our earlier item the Planning Committee yesterday approved Plan de Ordenación Territorial (POT) for the Campo de Gibraltar unanimously. The document affects all seven municipalities, includes 11 'areas of opportunity' and over €2,500,000,000 in public investment over 15 years for the area. Thus the POT is ready for its next stage of public exposure. The Planning Committee, headed by Rocío Allepuz, Secreatry General for Territorial Planning and Development, consisted of representatives from all seven Campo municipalities (Algeciras, Tarifa, Castellar, Los Barrios, San Roque, La Línea and Jimena).>
Allepuz pointed out at the presentation of the document that a great effort was made by all parties, "especially the Mayors, to bring about the best possible Plan for the Campo de Gibraltar."

The POT foresees investments of €2,549,000,000 over the next 15 years in matters such as territorial planning, water cycles, solid urban waste, natural andcultural resources, and principally in  leisure and tourism facilities. The distribution is divided into 11 so-called 'areas of opportunity', 7 of which involve tourism, 1 for production in terms of technology, logistics, various businesses, and 3 involving residential facilities.

The next step is the Plan's exposure to public scrutiny for two months. After that, any opposition declaration against it will be studied and replied to and then sent to the Government Council for final approval.

The Campo de Gibraltar POT covers 1,514.4 km2 and a population of 261,378 inhabitants. Its objective is to "develop the strategic character of the area ad its external relations, particularly through the Port of Algeciras," as well as to "consolidate and impel the industrial and tourism sectors of thie Southernmost part of Andalucía." For this, the POT "puts order into the transportation and communications system, green areas," and the areas of opportunity mentioned above.

The document, according to Allepuz, "stems from the need to establish the bases for orderly development, reinforcing and complementing population centres in terms of housing, land, infrastructure, services and other productive items, while making municipal growth compatible with the global needs of the territory."