Petition against Orange Square 'improvements' gets 600 signatures

A petition with 600 signatures was presented by residents of Marbella on Monday in protest at the way the town hall has been carrying out works on the iconic Plaza de los Naranjos (also known as Orange Square).

Those who signed the petition disagree with what they consider a lack of transparency, "no citizen participation and no municipal environmental plan for the flora and fauna".

Maica Machuca, who organised the petition, said: "At no point has the council shown it has the permits necessary to carry out this work in this historic location."

Diego López, the councillor responsible for parks and gardens, said earlier this month that the works had been planned for some time but put off so as not to interfere with tourist and commercial activity. And that is why they are doing them now and taking advantage of the Covid closure measures.

He said, We have been treating orange trees for fungi and soil compaction for two years, as well as trying to eradicate rats."

He promised that "the look of the square will be very similar to the one before" and that no healthy tree has been cut down or any ecosystem has been destroyed.

He added that during the works, obsolete electrical equipment will be removed and an automatic irrigation system will also be installed.