Community power
By Gordon Miller
Published: June 21 2008 03:00 | Last updated: June 21 2008 03:00
Popular foreign perceptions of Spain's Costas are of high-rise apartment blocks packed cheek by jowl along the coastline. But times are changing. Spain is beginning to turn its back on the concrete monoliths and instead there is a growing movement towards environmentally sensitive developments and practices, particularly on the Costa Blanca and inland.
Gran Monóvar Ecociudad, 30 minutes' drive inland from Alicante on the Costa Blanca, is a development of new homes where a holistic agenda is being embraced. Conservation and the building of a community where environmental principles are at the forefront of planning is a philosophy espoused by Joaquin Cuenca Franco, the developer and one of two cousins who head the family-run business.
"We aim to show that innovative, environmentally sound practices can be implemented that cost no more than conventional building," says Franco. "The houses we build will not be priced higher than our competitors'. We know that most people buy first based on price - apartments start from €110,000 (£88,000) - but if we can provide environmentally innovative homes, then we believe we will be offering buyers something extra at no additional cost."
Eco-features include dual-orientation of the properties to facilitate energy efficiency by generating cross-ventilation and maximising sunlight year-round. Solar panels will heat the water supply. Water recycling, air-flow taps, and rainwater capture will ensure water conservation is a priority. There will be organic paints, composting facilities and the timber used in construction is from sustainable sources.
The ethos is one that Spain's government is keen to encourage. It offers companies generous incentives for investment in renewable energy. Already, energy from wind accounts for 12 per cent of the country's installed capacity, making Spain the world's second largest producer of wind power.
The government is also keen to boost solar energy. Legislation states that all new buildings must have solar panels on their roofs. Grants have been given to the tune of €1bn in direct subsidies to assist the upgrading of older energy-inefficient buildings. Prime minister José Luis Rodríguez Zapatero has said that additionally his government will spend €2bn annually to assist existing homeowners in making their properties 35-60 per cent more energy efficient. The environmental imperative has filtered through to local communities too.
The mayor of Gran Monóvar, Salvador Poveda Bernabé, gives the Ecociudad development his full backing. "Gran Monóvar Ecociudad fulfils the town's commitment to environmental issues," says Bernabé. "It is a fresh approach that will bring prestige to the community. It will assist with population growth and draw industry and services to the town."
The developer expects approximately half the 828 eco-apartments, townhouses and villas will be bought by Spaniards, the majority of whom will live there year-round, so the community is unlikely to become yet another expat enclave. The remainder, it is predicted, will be sold to British, Irish, Scandinavians and other northern Europeans - although Franco says the community will be "one of the mind rather than determined by nationality".
One couple from England, who were determined to buy into a community of Spaniards as well as foreigners, and one where their carbon footprint would be lessened, are Robert and Jacqueline Bell, both aged 62, from Epsom, Surrey. Jacqueline says: "We bought because the development is one of the first of its kind in Spain and it's popular with Spanish people, which we like.
"We are very aware of the problems with global warming and were particularly impressed with the eco-credentials, especially the water recycling and solar gain efforts. We plan to retire to Spain in 2010."
The Bells have bought a four-bedroom villa with the living accommodation on the ground floor, two bathrooms, a separate shower room and large wrap-around terraces. They paid €285,000 for the property.
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Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2008
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