Ecologists report machinery movements around the Castillo de la Duquesa, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest.
The group Verdemar-Ecologistas en Acción has lodged a formal complaint with the Directorate-General for Historical Heritage of the Junta de Andalucía over the presence of heavy machinery near the archaeological site of the Castillo de la Duquesa, declared an Asset of Cultural Interest (BIC).
The environmental organisation has asked in writing to be informed whether any authorised intervention or construction file exists for this protected site, located on the seafront between the Castillo and the Puerto Deportivo de La Duquesa. It is also requesting access to the complete administrative file under the Transparency Law, and is demanding that the necessary measures be guaranteed for the comprehensive protection of the historical heritage.
According to the document sent to the Junta on Friday, to which this newsroom has had access, the works could put at risk the archaeological remains of an ancient Roman villa dated between the 1st and 5th centuries AD, including a salting factory, baths, a necropolis and residential structures.
A property development with a museum included
In recent years the area has attracted attention because of the development of an ambitious residential project promoted by Grupo ABU, which involves the construction of 143 luxury homes spread across three buildings. The complex was announced as a “unique” seafront development, with a communal swimming pool, green areas and an indoor museum space that would incorporate the archaeological remains found on the plot.
As early as April 2023, Manilva Town Hall announced that it would be the body responsible for managing the future Archaeological Museum arising from this development. According to what mayor Mario Jiménez explained at the time, the Andalusian regional Department of Culture of the Junta de Andalucía had made the building licence conditional on a favourable report requiring special foundations and the creation of a museum display at the site, with guaranteed public access.
The land on which the project is being developed previously belonged to the company Ros y Falcón, which put it up for public auction after entering insolvency proceedings. The sale made it possible to settle a debt of more than 1.1 million euros owed to Manilva council.
Call for works to be halted if there are no guarantees
Despite these prior conditions, Verdemar warns that “any unauthorised action” could cause irreversible alteration or destruction of the archaeological site. In this regard, the ecologist group is asking for work to be stopped immediately if authorisation from the Department of Culture cannot be shown, as required by current legislation on Historical Heritage.
“This is a space of exceptional value, both historically and culturally. Urban development interests cannot be allowed to prevail over its conservation,” the organisation said.
No manager at the urban planning management office
According to information obtained by this newsroom, the current governing team made up of Compromiso Manilva and IU Con Andalucía dismissed Gaspar Román, who held the post of Urban Planning Manager, on 30 June.
We recall that his appointment came after the resignation of his predecessor Aitor Menoyo, who stood down shortly after being appointed in August 2023 following a public complaint by Compromiso Manilva, which issued a statement saying the following:
“It is unacceptable that the mayor of Manilva, who championed the fight against corruption during the election campaign and beat his chest as a defender of transparency and legality, gives in and signs a decree appointing the convicted Aitor Menoyo, yielding to pressure from the non-affiliated councillors and government partners, solely to remain in the mayor’s office,” the local party states.
“We have gone from a manager chosen through an open and transparent procedure, with extensive academic training and experience in urban planning, to a partisan manager convicted of prevarication.”
As of today, we have been unable to learn of any new official appointment of the person who will fill this post, which is so important for safeguarding the urban planning interests of our municipality.
