Lloret de Mar will reopen the historic Can Juncadella coastal path, which has been illegally closed for 17 years. This significant development follows a new agreement between the local council and the property owner. The path, a popular route along the Costa Brava, was previously blocked by the estate of a Kazakh magnate.

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The Ajuntament de Lloret de Mar, the local council, reached a deal with Flinder Data. This company owns the Can Juncadella estate. This agreement aims to redefine the path’s route and facilitate its public opening. Mayor Adrià Lamelas stated, “This agreement should allow residents and visitors to realise this historic demand to pass and enjoy this coastal path, respectful of the environment and forming part of our heritage.”

The path stretches from Canyelles beach to Cala Morisca. It offers picturesque views between cliffs and pine forests. Its closure in 2009 sparked years of public outcry and legal battles. Six favourable rulings from the High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TJSC) consistently supported the path’s reopening.

The property, linked to former Kazakhstan President Nursultan Nazarbayev’s family, initially closed the path for “improvement works” in 2009. The council secured a commitment for reopening after the works. However, the owner failed to comply, leading to the case entering the courts in 2016.

This new agreement marks a second attempt to resolve the long-standing dispute. Flinder Data will bear the full cost of both planning and executing the new itinerary’s construction. The revised route will not be identical to the original. However, it will remain as close to the sea as possible. It will integrate the previously blocked section with the GR-92 long-distance footpath.

Environmental Group Expresses Concerns

Despite the agreement, the environmental platform SOS Costa Brava remains partially unsatisfied. The group has consistently pressured the Lloret de Mar council to enforce judicial rulings. Jordi Palaudelmàs, president of SOS Costa Brava and a local resident, questioned the new agreement’s reliability. He stated, “We are at the same point as 17 years ago, when the property signed an agreement to create an alternative path and said it would take responsibility, but did not comply. What makes us think this person will comply now?”

Palaudelmàs added, “Whether or not an agreement is reached with the property is quite indifferent to us. What concerns us is that the path remains closed despite the judicial rulings. We demand that, while the new route is not executed, the council opens the old path that passes through the estate.”

The Magnate’s Fortified Estate

The Can Juncadella estate, a vast and luxurious property, sits directly by the sea. It has been described as “almost a fortification.” It is surrounded by fences and equipped with numerous deterrents. These include security cameras, dissuasive signs, and even loudspeaker warnings.

Reports indicate that heavily armed guards, often accompanied by dangerous dogs, confront any hikers attempting to access the old path. The property, acquired in 2007 by Nursultan Nazarbayev’s family, has undergone extensive renovations. It features a 3,000-square-metre mansion with 16 bedrooms and 20 bathrooms.

Nazarbayev’s daughter, Dinara Nazarbayeva, and her husband, Timur Kulibayev, reportedly host international magnates at the 20-hectare estate. Some guests arrive on helicopter-carrying yachts, landing at the property’s private heliport.

What Happens Next

The Lloret de Mar Ajuntament will now process the planning for the new path. The draft proposal will undergo a one-month public information period for potential objections. Once construction finishes, the path will become public. The council will then be responsible for its management and maintenance. This marks a significant step towards restoring public access to a cherished part of the Costa Brava coastline.

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Originally published by Ara Cat. Read original article.