Sun, Jul 05 2009
On March 19 and 20 the Supreme Court of Administration will examine the litigations of Tsarevo municipality and Crash 2000 company concerning a construction ban in Strandzha preserve.
The ban was introduced in 1995, as Strandzha was considered protected area. In case the ban is lifted, construction in the natural area will become possible and the preserve will cease to exist.
In November 2006, Tsarevo municipality decided to address the ban in court, Darik Radio reported.
If court decides to favour the litigations, the decision could either be appealed or Environment and Water Affairs Minister Djevdet Chakurov could issue a new document to confirm the preserve status of the Strandzha area.
The ban hinders the work of Crash 2000. Its complex Golden Pearl could end up demolished if the ban remains in force. Some investors have already bought apartments in the complex.
Removing the ban will take Strandzha out of Bulgaria's protected areas list and will legalise construction.
The project will be financed by the Bulgarian Bank for Development, and the Joint European Support for Sustainable Investment in City Areas, or Jessica Programme, although the report has so far failed to reveal the total cost of the vast enterprise.
The strategic plan envisages the conservation of the nature "for decades ahead", and it was formulated by a municipal team headed by professor Ivan Nikiforov, backed by Prime Minister Sergei Stanishev.
Once the overhaul and reconstruction of the Sofia–Vidin line is complete, it will cut travel time to three hours, as the train will be able to reach speeds of up to 160 km/h, shortening the journey to three hours.
Marriott however has made it clear that is not interested in investing in construction, but rather to occupy and manage existing buildings. Its strategy is to obtain management contracts.
Investors realise that it’s not viable to have a building remaining empty over the course of a year – so it's better for them to employ more flexibility to offset that loss.