WRITTEN QUESTION E-2194/00

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(3 July 2000)

Subject: Construction of a multi-cinema complex in Puerto del Grau (Castellón, Spain)

A special plan which has been drawn up by the Castellón port authority as the basis for a number of commercial properties to be built in the area known as Muelle de Costa is currently undergoing final approval. However, neighbourhood organisations (in particular Mediterrània, a neighbourhood and cultural association based in Grau de Castelló) have reported that the project includes the construction (not made clear in the special plan) of a huge multi-cinema complex which, together with other commercial premises, will occupy an area of 7 200 square metres and reach a height of 13 metres. If such buildings were constructed the town of Castellón would be virtually closed off from the sea and the whole project would have a major impact on the landscape.

Local people have also reported various risks to public health connected with the planned location of the multi-cinema complex, particularly in view of the fact that trains carrying hazardous substances would travel along a railway line only a few yards away from the leisure complex.

In view of the fact that paragraph 8(b) of Annex 1 of Directive 97/11/EC(1) (85/337/EC revised) includes trading ports and piers for loading and unloading amongst the installations which are subject to environmental impact assessment, does the Commission not think that, in view of the major impact which the project will have on the landscape around the town of Castellón, a statutory environmental impact assessment should have been carried out, as provided for in the above-mentioned Directive 97/11/EC, in particular in the amended Article 3 thereof which refers to direct and indirect effects on landscape?

Could the Commission ascertain whether or not, in view of the proximity of the above-mentioned railway line, the planned construction of the buildings concerned in Puerto del Grau is compatible with Community law governing the transportation of hazardous substances?

In view of the fact that 60 % of the total cost of the planned extension to the port at Castellón is to be paid out of the ERDF, does the Commission consider that the project satisfies the principles and objectives for which such funding was requested? In its reply, could it state precisely what objectives were contained in the application for ERDF funding which was submitted by the Spanish authorities?

(1) OJ L 73, 14.3.1997, p. 5.

Answer given by Mrs Wallström on behalf of the Commission

(7 September 2000)

The Commission was not aware of the situation the Honourable Member has described. It has yet to receive any complaint that the project in question has failed to comply with Community directives. Nonetheless, it will question the Spanish authorities shortly to ensure that the Community directives applicable in this instance are indeed being complied with.

As for Community law on the transport of dangerous goods by rail, Council Directive 96/49/EC of 23 July 1996 on the approximation of the laws of the Member States with regard to the transport of dangerous goods by rail(1) includes provisions on the classification, packaging and labelling of such substances as well as provisions applicable to the wagons used for this type of transport. The Directive ensures a high level of safety in the transport of such goods by rail, but does not deal with the question of land use in the vicinity of railway tracks.

The Commission confirms that a project to extend a quay at the port of Castellón costing approximately 18 million was allocated Structural Fund assistance in the 1994-1999 regional programme for Valencia. However, as is normal, this individual project was selected by the Spanish authorities concerned in accordance with the provisions of the programme and the Commission is not aware of any particular aspects of the request made to them.

(1) OJ L 235, 17.9.1996.