Vila Real de Santo António council is to start the second phase of the redevelopment work at Monte Gordo beach on November 15th.
The municipality wants to press ahead with its plan to renovate one of its main bathing zones with new buildings for its concession holders.
The first phase, in July this year, saw a three kilometre walkway installed at a cost of €1 million.
This second phase of the project includes the demolition of the old beach concessions and the construction of new, uniform buildings at the side of the walkway.
The plan, already approved by the Portuguese Environment Agency, includes the construction of 18 new concessions to replace the current ones.
"It is important to remember that the Coastal Zone Planning Plan, approved by the former socialist executive of the municipality, only provided for the construction of eight beach concessions but, through revisions and a series of meetings between the council and the Environment Agency, it was possible to install 18 units," said Conceição Cabrita, the Social Democratic president of the city council.
"Thus, all the people who ran businesses by the beach do not need to submit a new bid, putting an end to the old licence issuing system that was in force until now," continued the mayor.
The current outlets will be able to work until November 1st, after which they must leave their old buildings and wait for the new ones to be built.
The demolition process will be carried out by the council and the construction of the new buildings will be paid for by the owners but in accordance with the municipal plan.
"This means that, next summer, we will have a beach with better quality, better access and new concessions, thus finalising one of the largest urban and environmental renovation operations carried out in our county," said Cabrita.
