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To all Ibiza lovers: please take 5 minutes to read the following
Are you in love with Ibiza? Have you ever blissed out at Benirrás beach? Can you imagine it built up? Neither can we! Help us stop its needless development…
The map of development area (click to enlarge)
The Benirras area, with the development area circled (click to enlarge)
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So what’s the story with Benirrás?
As we all know, Benirrás is a beach in Ibiza of great natural beauty and wild surroundings, which has been visited by many, drawn to it also by its special energy and the happenings that have taken place there. Everyone who has been there has their own special “Benirrás moment” story to tell…
At this very moment, this beautiful space is threatened by the cranes and building machines that are becoming much-too-common parts of the local skyline.
The recently approved PTI, a local law which classifies land, now declares this area “URBAN” – this means that, in the best case scenario, 60 apartments and 40 single family houses –or more!– will be built there very soon.
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When?
Very soon means building can start as soon as the Council of Sant Joan approve the plans that are right now on show – and this will happen at the end of this month of August 2005 unless those who care do something about it.
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Why?
The area was granted a development permit years ago, when building = progress, which was much needed for local economic growth at the time. This original permit is what makes it difficult now to stop the building, as the Sant Joan Council would be obliged to pay huge compensation to the landowners. It is a fact that this Council cannot event aspire to footing that bill, since it is one of the poorest on the island (because it also one of the greenest! Ie. less developed).
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So all is lost…
No, it isn’t! A light has appeared at the end of the tunnel: the Spanish Environmental Minister announced a month ago that the Government are putting forward big funds to buy up from private owners coastal areas that are in danger of being developed, making them public land and protecting them from construction.
In order to be considered for this Ministerial concession, the Sant Joan Council has to be the one, AT THIS POINT IN TIME to apply for it.
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Why would the Council do that?
For two reasons:
1. because protecting remaining natural spaces & resources, and preserving them for the general public and for future generations, is THE RIGHT THING TO DO, and
2. because enough people tell them to
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Who can do something?
The local constituents (residents of Sant Joan) are key to the movement to save Benirrás. They need to stand up and be counted, and are invited to go to Eco in Sant Joan square to sign a petition which will be there until Monday 29th, to be handed into the Council on Tuesday 30th.
Other Ibiza residents must support our Sant Joan neighbours, by telling those they know from the area about this campaign, by sending emails and letters to the Sant Joan Council, by attending on the day that the petition is presented, by writing to the local press…
Frequent and relevant visitors to Ibiza definitely have a role to play: call or write to the Sant Joan Council to voice your opinion; call your friends in Ibiza and tell them to support this campaign; pull in your press contacts abroad (local politicians hate to look bad in the foreign press) and tell them to contact the Sant Joan Council themselves; swing any public weight you have yourself to make your petition relevant; any other peaceful means of protest you can afford to carry out…
Those who cannot write nor print their own letters can sign petitions until Monday 29th at:
# Out Of Time People (former Cáñamo) in Plaza del Parque, Ibiza Town
# Vía Romana 10, Ibiza Town
# Eco, in Sant Joan
# Herbolario, in Calle del Mar 9, Santa Eulalia
# Ecolandia, Calle Dr. Flemming in Sant Antoni
# Libro Azul in Santa Gertrudis
# Sant Jordi Market on Saturday 27th (Fabien’s stand)
# Casita Verde on Sunday 28
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Who to lobby:
Sant Joan Council telephone number:
+ 34 971 333003
Postal address:
Atn: Excmo. Sr. Alcalde
Ajuntament de Sant Joan de Labritja
Plaça d’Espanya s/n
07840 Ibiza, Baleares, Spain
Important: send REGISTERED letters so that the Council have to give them official entry and so recognise that they have received them.
If you care about Nature and wish to help save Benirrás, do your bit within this campaign.
If you have time and feel inspired to express your opinion, please send a REGISTERED letter to the above address.
For those who do not have the time to write their own, you can find samples at the link below. Please choose one, depending on whether you are a San Juan resident, an Ibiza resident or a visitor/tourist. Download the letter, make any changes or additions you wish to make, fill in the date at the top, and your details at the bottom, print & sign, and send via REGISTERED post to the Council. You may want to call them a few days later to enquire whether they have received it. They must not be allowed to ignore our appeals!
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Downloads:
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VERY IMPORTANT:
# include your DNI/NIF/Residencia number
# send it via registered post before August 30th and keep the receipt
# send this link on to your friends (remember your famous friends, or those in press!)
Every letter counts
Tell your friends
Thank you for taking action.
We only have days to go…
… but all together we can make a difference
More info or ideas on mail@greenheart.info
love & light from AKOO CHILLOUT IBIZA
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