In a statement, the Alentejo municipality explained that, in addition to this reduction of around 40%, which is equivalent to 7,100 tourist beds planned to be built in coastal parishes, the change to the PDM directs “[tourism] growth towards the interior” of the municipality, promoting “more sustainable tourism”.
In the immediate future, “with the implementation of the new PDM, a reduction of around 3,500 beds is expected”, that is, “50% fewer beds than those planned in the pending processes” that were submitted to the council, “before the partial suspension of the PDM in 2022, and whose licensing was halted”.
However “this reduction could reach 7,100 beds”, as a result of “the discussions held” between the local authority and the promoters of tourism enterprises, “with projects approved more than 15 years ago”.
These discussions aim to “reduce the number of planned beds still to be implemented in the coastal area”, totalling 12,106.
“Most of these developers have shown their willingness to reduce the maximum capacity defined in the plans”, which is why the council expects that, in addition to the immediate 3,500 fewer beds, there will also be a reduction of “around 3,600 beds”, which will bring the total to 7,100.
According to the council, in addition to “limiting the emergence of new tourist developments”, the amendment to the PDM, which is in public consultation until 7 October, also aims to “reduce the construction areas in coastal parishes and direct growth inland”.
“The amendment to the PDM aims to regulate the growth of tourist developments, protect the coastal strip, promote controlled and diversified development inland and preserve the natural, environmental and cultural values of Grândola”, stressed the mayor of Grândola, António Figueira Mendes, quoted in the statement.
The creation of a High Tourist Pressure Zone (ZEPT) on the Alentejo coast, which covers the parishes of Carvalhal, Melides and part of the Union of Parishes of Grândola and Santa Margarida da Serra, is another of the measures proposed for the future territorial management instrument.
“New tourist developments are prohibited in this area, with the exception of those that were already planned before the Regional Territorial Planning Plan (PROTA), approved by the Council of Ministers and published on 02/08/2010. Only camping and caravan parks will be permitted”, he explained.
Regarding the intermunicipal agreement, established with the municipalities of Odemira, in the district of Beja, and Santiago do Cacém, in the district of Setúbal, which allows the municipality’s tourism intensity to increase from 14,915 to 17,153 beds, he explained that it is intended “mainly for the development of inland areas”.
In the statement, the council also stated that, with the future PDM, “there will be a limitation on types and a reduction in the maximum capacity of new tourist developments (ET)”.
As for pending licensing requests, “if they do not reformulate the project and reduce capacity, they will be assessed in light of the new PDM and, therefore, if they are on the coast (now ZEPT) they will be rejected”, the council stressed, adding that, currently, there are 82 pending processes, equivalent to 6,720 beds.