Conflict intensifies over “bioclimatic” hotel in Sa Rapita

The position of those for and against the construction of the 20-hectare hotel, which will cover ground the size of 20 football pitches is hardening as the stakes rise.

The businessmen and building promoters of the 1'250 bed hotel on the site of a former cow farm have made contact with a number of key figures and organisations to help them prove to opposition groups that the project really is an “eco-friendly” one.

So intent are the promoters on winning over the “anti-hotel league” to their side, that a few days ago, business representatives made contact with Balearic ecological watchdog “GOB” to encourage them to hold a discussion with a Belgian, Gunter Pauli, an impresario dedicated to designing civic and industrial buildings which respond to the needs of people and which “blend in” to a natural background. However, the move by the hotel promoters failed miserably as “GOB” spokesman Jaume Adrover made it abundantly clear that the organisation would, under no circumstances whatsoever, accept the construction of a hotel in Sa Rapita. A few weeks ago, the hotel, which is to be built just 150 metres from the sea was declared a project “in the regional interest of the Balearic Islands” and almost immediately engendered formidable opposition. The anti-hotel lobby, Salvam Sa Rapita has already collected 12'000 signatures of support after launching its own website. Subscribers want to defend not just Sa Rapita but also the beach at Es Trenc, the most extensive stretch of undeveloped beach on Majorca. The most recent support has come from the United Left party who want to put paid to expansion by Blau Hotels group.