Arta.The country estate known as Es Canons was at the heart of the latest council debate in Arta yesterday, during which all parties except the Partido Popular voted to urge Central Government - or if this failed, the regional government - to buy the property to add it to the Llevant nature reserve.
The coastal land at Es Canons is situated between the residential complex of Sant Pere and Ca los Camps and borders the Llevant national park.
The Spanish High Court issued a decree on 5th October last year, ordering the Balearic government to pay the owners of Es Canons nearly 3'900'000 euros plus intererst in compensation. The Balearic government had, in the year 2000, changed the category of the land of Es Canons from ground suitable for property development into an officially protected area (ANEI) thus scuppering plans for building. The previous Balearic government agreed to pay the amount seven months ago.
Arta Council now believe that it is in the public interest to have Es Canons incorporated into the Llevant nature reserve because the estate is the natural point of entry from the coast at Colonia de Sant Pere. There are cross country routes which link up with Alquería Vella where an information centre on the reserve is located.
After the decree in favour of the property owners was issued, the Council also had to return historic properties at Es Canons, previously ceded by the owners.