Around Majorca

INCA
A group of students training in computer studies at the Pau Casenoves college in Inca have lodged a written complaint with the regional Education ministry. They want to draw attention to “the seriousness of the situation at the school centre where lack of equipment is preventing them from successfully embarking on the course”.

The pupils, enrolled on a middle grade information technology course since Septembe, have deep concerns about not having enough tables and chairs, resulting in their having to work by balancing computer keyboards on their knees.

Faced with these conditions, the students have decided not to attend classes until they have sufficient equipment to study in earnest.
Furniture city

MANACOR
A new promotional campaign is underway to sell Manacor as the furniture mecca of Majorca. An ambitious plan aims to impact on potential overseas markets, not simply through exhibitions but by marketing the town and its surroundings as “furniture country”.

A project has been launched by a recently formed organisation, the Traders Association of Manacor, who are crusading to recapture pole position in this industrial sector.

The campaign, allocated a budget of 75'000 euros is directed in the first instance at a young public, aged between 25 and 45. “Our intentions are to offer a bright and entertaining image” said the campaign's creator, Jordi Muntaner.

Out into the light

MARIA DE LA SALUT
WORKS on improving the power supply in Maria de la Salut are to begin this week, confirmed mayor's deputy at the Town Council, Antoni Mulet.
The improvements are being carried out under the auspices of the Works and Services department of the Council of Majorca. They will take four months to complete, and will include upgrading the power of the local electricity transformer, replacement of all key electricity cabling, and the installation of more street lights.

Illegal housing

ISLAND-WIDE
NORDIC-style wooden chalets which have recently been springing up across the Island have been categorised as illegal by the Council of Majorca. This includes the rejection of any attempts which might be made to “legalise” already existing structures.

The Council's Territory Planning director, Damià Nicolau, and the department's architect, Josep Antoni Jiménez made it clear that the 1997 Country Land Act and the present Territorial Plan, “decree that these non-traditional buildings are unacceptable”.

The Council of Majorca has seen fit to clarify the decree: “Prefabricated buildings made out of wood or other material erected on rural ground must have appropriate licensing prior to construction”.

Jimenez extended the intention of the Council's addendum by stating that: “It's impossible that a licence would be granted even if the builder is in possession of the minimum area of ground required for such a structure”. “These Nordic houses are not a traditional Majorcan style. Owners of all unlicensed wooden chalets which have aleady been erected will be fined and sent demolition orders” warned Nicolau.