Moratorium in danger

The Council of Majorca's moratorium on building in rustic areas is in danger as the Majorcan Socialist Party and United Left have threatened to withdraw their support unless it is modified. As matters stand, if the Council approves its regulations on rustic land tomorrow, it will have to allow the construction of 640 dwellings in rustic land, permission for which were being negotiated before December 31. These include 74 in Manacor, 67 in Santany,47 in Felanitx, 40 in Artà, 38 in Pollensa and 30 in Muro. The number of new homes should be restricted to 450 a year, but the socialists fear that the number may now exceed 900. They will present a motion to prevent this and it will be debated tomorrow, although they are canvassing other parties already in an effort to win their backing.