14/11/2004 00:00
TW
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By Humphrey Carter IN an attempt to maintain some architectural harmony in rural Majorca, the island's planning authority is going to crackdown on pre-fabricated Nordic style wooden housing.

The real estate world is split over moves by the Council of Majorca to introduce new regulations preventing the further installation of wooden Nordic-style chalets in rural areas. It is the Council of Majorca which is responsible for planning in rustic areas of the island and the local authority wants to make sure that all new houses are in keeping with Majorca's Mediterranean style.

For example in Deya or Valldemossa, new buildings have to have a stone facade while in Costa D'en Blenes or Son Vida, the chalets and villas have to be designed in keeping with the Mediterranean style.

As far as Council of Majorca planning chiefs are concerned, out in the country, all new buildings have to blend in with rural Majorca and be of a more traditional style.

Planning chiefs said this week that “prefabricated buildings made out of wood or other materials put up on rural land must have the appropriate licensing prior to construction” and it is unlikely a license will be granted for Nordic chalets.

What is more, Council of Majorca planning boss Damia Nicolau has warned owners of Nordic style chalets that, if they installed their Nordic houses without the required permission, then they will face being fined or even demolition orders.

A Scandinavian developer did, apparently, have plans to develop a Nordic style village on the island, but it would appear that the Council has put a stop to that.

One leading local estate agent said yesterday that he fully agreed with the new regulations. “Majorca is only 74 kilometres wide and if we carry on building we're going to run out of elbow space. “Majorcans are becoming much more aware as to what has been going on and most people agree that everything should be done to make sure that the island has a unified image that is pleasant and fits comfortably with the surroundings,” he said. “All potential loop holes in planning regulations should also be plugged and I think it's correct that, if you want to put up a Nordic chalet, you have to go through all the usual planning processes,” he added. “Otherwise the island will become a construction eyesore,” he said.