Court backs moratorium, rejects appeals

THE Supreme High Court of the Balearics has confirmed the moratorium approved by the Council of Majorca in 2000, which supsended the granting of building licences, and has rejected five appeals presented by promoters affected by the move. The main tenet of the court's decision was that the Council did not infringe municipal reponsibilities as general planning has precedence over municipal planning responsibilities. The sentence also says that the moratorium did not deprive the promoters of rights, as it merely limited them temporarily. It said that the moratorium was only a precautionary measure, which did not modify the classification of the land. The promoters had been seeking compensation, but the court said that it will be the future Plan Territorial of Majorca “which will generate eventual rights to compensation.” Council of Majorca president Maria Antonia Munar yesterday expressed her satisfaction at the decision. She added that Majorca would be “more protected than ever,” until the moratorium is lifted. This will not happen until the Plan Territorial is approved, she said. Munar also said that the promoters had nothing to worry about, although they must adapt to the new times. “Now, fewer outside companies will come to build, and fewer immigrants to work; there will be less conflict and there will not be as much unemployment,” she claimed.