New Interview: Questions of Transparency, Environmental Assessment and the Future of Meia Praia

Lawyer Alexandra Soares, President of Associação Miradouro da Luz, has spoken to online publication Litoralgarve about the proposed hotel development at Meia Praia and the questions being raised around the project.

In the interview, Alexandra discusses efforts to obtain access to the planning file for the development. She says access was initially refused following a request in February and describes the subsequent efforts made to obtain access to the documentation.

She also discusses outstanding questions concerning environmental assessment, including whether environmental studies have been undertaken in relation to this specific project, and the information being sought regarding the lagoon and the involvement of the Portuguese Environment Agency (APA).

The APA is the public body responsible for implementing environmental policies in Portugal, with responsibilities including environmental impact assessment, water resources and protection of the coastline.

The interview also highlights an important precedent from elsewhere in Lagos. Alexandra discusses the work of Associação Miradouro da Luz in opposing a proposed hotel development at Cerrinho do Caracol (Miradouro da Luz). The Association has documented its opposition to the project and the legal action taken in relation to it.

Her comments underline why access to information, public scrutiny and participation in decisions affecting Lagos and its coastline matter.