The Quercus association has urged the Portuguese government and the Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente (APA) to adopt a firm stance on public access to beaches in Grândola, Setúbal district. The call comes amid a dispute with Coporgest, a tourism promoter, over the revision of access to two beaches: Camarinhas and Duna Cinzenta. Quercus condemned Coporgest's intimidation tactics against the APA.
According to Quercus, Coporgest, owner of the Comporta Beach & Golf Resort project, threatened to take legal action against the APA to block the review of the Coastal Zone Program (POC) Espichel-Odeceixe. This program includes the construction of 250 new parking spaces near the only public entrance to the beaches. Quercus argues that this construction is essential for genuine public access to the beaches.
Currently, access to the beaches is limited, with only one path available near Estrada Nacional 253, which is signaled for emergency vehicles or pedestrian access. There is no parking available for those not staying at the tourist developments in the area. Quercus considers this situation a "lamentable chapter" in the attempt to appropriate a public good, which are the Portuguese beaches.
The association believes that the Portuguese coastline is under attack from private luxury real estate interests. Quercus recalled that about a year ago, the APA had notified Coporgest to remove a reference to a "private immaculate beach" near the development from its English website, which was justified as a "translation error".
Alexandra Azevedo, president of Quercus' national board, welcomed the government's stance on beach access but called for concrete measures. She emphasized the need to investigate and regulate the situation on the Grândola coast and to hold accountable those who insist on placing obstacles in the process.
Quercus appealed to the government and APA to maintain a firm stance against threats of litigation from private promoters and to advance with the revision of the POC Espichel-Odeceixe without concessions. The association also advocated for the application of penalties to those who continue to hinder or distort public access to any national beach through physical barriers or misleading communication.
In response, Coporgest stated that the planned parking would direct visitors to Duna Cinzenta beach, which may become overcrowded due to the proximity of the future tourist development. The promoter argued that the parking intended for Camarinhas beach should ensure effective access to that beach and accused Grupo Pestana of intending to maintain conditioned public access.
Key points
- Quercus urges firm action from government and APA on public beach access in Grândola.
- Dispute involves Coporgest's contestation of access to Camarinhas and Duna Cinzenta beaches.
- Quercus advocates for concrete measures to protect public access to Portuguese beaches.
