Valencia Life 17^th December 2006

CALLING A HALT

Esteban Gonzalez Pons, the Counsellor for the Territory, stated yesterday that he was calling a halt to any development plans that are still being processed by his department. He also revealed that since 2003 some 75 million square metres of land has been re-qualified, but stated that the 194 million square metres that are still pending a decision from his department 'would simply have to wait'. Mr. Gonzalez Pons, in making this decision, stated that he was 'well aware' of the financial contribution made to the autonomy by real estate developers, but added that the prime concern of the Valencian Government at the present time was to increase the numbers of tourists that visit the autonomy.