WRITTEN QUESTION P-3596/01

by Pietro-Paolo Mennea (PPE-DE) to the Commission

(8 January 2002)

Subject: Environmental problem in the Prima Cala area in Molfetta

There have been numerous reports in the local and national press and many complaints from alarmed residents about a serious environmental problem following the building of the Scoglio di Inghilterra lido in the Prima Cala area of the town of Molfetta.

According to the information available, the construction of this bathing beach complex involved the extensive and, indeed, excessive use of concrete, which has totally disfigured the area, robbing it of its natural features.

This situation has been brought to the notice of the local authorities and the harbour master's office, who are responsible for the area, but no action has been taken to repair the damage caused.

Given the above, would the Commission carry out an in-depth investigation into the matter with a view to determining once and for all whether all the relevant environmental and legal requirements were met when planning permission was granted?

Furthermore, with a view to monitoring the situation along Italy's coastline, would it not agree that an inventory should be made of all areas where the excessive use of concrete remains a problem?

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(25 January 2002)

According to Article 2 of Council Directive 85/337/EEC of 27 June 1985, on the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment(1) (EIA) and Council Directive 97/11/EC of 3 March 1997(2) which has modified Directive 85/337/EEC, Member States are obliged to ensure that, before consent is given, projects likely to have significant effects on the environment by virtue, inter alia, of their nature, size or location are made subject to a requirement for development consent and an assessment with regard to their effects. Classes of projects relevant to the directive are defined in Article 4 and listed in the first two annexes. However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, it is not possible to assess whether the project mentioned by the Honourable Member falls within one of the classes listed in the annexes of the directive.

Council Directive 92/43/EEC of 21 May 1992 on the conservation of natural habitats and of wild fauna and flora(3) provides that measures are taken to maintain or restore, at favourable conservation status, natural habitats and species of wild fauna and flora of Community interest. These measures are to be applied within the special areas of conservation included in the network set up under the title Natura 2000, as identified in accordance with the procedure laid down in Article 4. However, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member it appears that the project mentioned by the Honourable Member does not fall within any relevant area under the Directive.

Therefore, on the basis of the information given by the Honourable Member, due to a lack of grounds of complaint on the application of Community environmental law, no breach can be identified at present. Should the Honourable Member provide detailed information enabling the Commission to assess the situation with reference to Community law, the Commission would be able to investigate the matter further.

(1) OJ L 175, 5.7.1985.

(2) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997.

(3) OJ L 206, 22.7.1992.