Spain aims to restore coastlines look

Spain plans to restore a fifth of its coastline from overdeveloped concrete jungle to a more natural state by enforcing legislation to demolish illegal construction, officials said Monday. The €5 billion (US$7.2 billion) plan, which would affect about 700 kilometers (435 miles) of coast, was approved by the government in Cabinet last week and is due to be presented to regional authorities Wednesday, an Environment Ministry spokesman said.

Spain's coasts have for decades acted as magnets for tourism and property development, offering Mediterranean and Canary Island seaside locations to which northern Europeans — and Spaniards — have flocked for sun-drenched holidays. A real-estate boom has seen housing developments, golf courses and holiday complexes spring up along many of the once largely unspoiled coasts.

IHT Europe