Operator/Owner

Upcoming Israeli hotel complex raises environmental concerns

13 Dec, 2011 By: Jena Tesse Fox

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Development in Israel is always prone to controversy, but an upcoming project from Igra Hotels in the Sasgon Valley south of the Arava Desert is generating heated debate not from politicians, but from environmental groups.

This week, the Southern District Planning and Building Council decided that developers can build an upcoming property despite objections voiced by green organizations and Environmental Protection Minister Gilad Erdan. Globes.co reported that the Israel Union for Environmental Defense, Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel, Green Course and local residents all opposed the project, whose approval contravenes the position of the Ministry of Environmental Protection. Erdan had reportedly asked the Southern Regional Planning Commission to approve an alternative plan further south. He said that a hotel in the Sasgon Valley would destroy its nature, vistas, and environment.

According to the Jerusalem Post, the development would include four hotel complexes, a conference center and an artificial river. As part of the council's decision, developer must suggest two options for the hotel within the Sasgon Valley in a built-up area that does not exceed 2.4 hectares, which is significantly less than the original 30 hectare space requested. The developer also must submit revised plans to the Environmental Protection Ministry, which will deliver its opinion at the next committee meeting to discuss the project. 

The paper also noted a recent “phenomenon” that has led to the cancellation of hotels slated to be built next to beaches. Ministry officials are reportedly confident that in this case, the developer will be able to contribute greatly to the local residents and the regional economy, while maintaining the natural environment.

The Society for the Protection of Nature in Israel and the Israel Union for Environmental Defense harshly slammed the council's decision, charging that its members voted contrary to public interests, according to haaretz.com.

"The struggle is clearly not over until the bulldozers arrive on the scene, and we will do all we can to prevent this from happening," said a statement from an Arava residents group set up to protest the construction.

Topic : Israel, Environment, Green Building
External Source : Haaretz.com, Globes.co, Jerusalem Post