Tomorrow (Tuesday) will see Polis Litoral Ria Formosa – an organisation that technically became obsolete months ago – compulsorily seize a new round of homes on the Culatra island communities of Farol and Hangares.
While protests are expected, there is a sense of ‘fait-accompli’: of a situation, however unfair, that simply has to be accepted in order to move forwards.
Explains campaign group SOS Ria Formosa, environment minister João Pedro Matos Fernandes openly promised there will be no further demolitions in a speech in parliament last week which the group considers “the most humble and aware of our concerns since he assumed office”.
Pledges given included news that the long-awaited revision of the POC (coastal plan) will begin at the beginning of April. In this revision Matos Fernandes guaranteed that “dispositions approved” in parliament to recognise the communities of Farol and Hangares would “finally be contemplated”, along with vital dredging work and ‘reposition of sand’ that islanders have long blamed for the ‘situation of risk’ that authorities say they are in.
“Even though we continue to believe that these demolitions were avoidable”, said SOS in a statement over social media, “we are keen to take part in discussions for the revision of POC and hopeful for a better future for Ria Formosa and its historic communities”.
Farol residents’ association leader Feliciano Júlio is still bitter however – criticising the looming demolitions in an angry post over Facebook – while 12 of the 22 blighted homes are the subjects of 11th-hour “providências cautelares” (legal bids) lodged in Loulé’s administrative court.
Said veteran island campaigner José Lezinho: “These legal bids have suspensive effects and we’re just hoping that they are respected”.
But at least all involved in this epic struggle have a sense that this will be the last time the wrecking ball takes them by surprise, and that in itself is a huge achievement.
natasha.donn@algarveresident.com
Photo by: Zé Amaro
