Occupants of Quinta dos Ingleses in Cascais must leave the premises by May 31st – Current Affairs

At issue is the implementation of the Detailed Plan for the Urban Restructuring Space of Carcavelos-Sul (PPERUCS), promoted by the company Alves Ribeiro, which envisages the landscaping requalification of Quinta dos Ingleses through the creation of an urban park and the construction of a development housing, with commerce, services and hotels.

The execution of this plan calls into question the stay in this space of around 50 people, of various nationalities, who created an improvised “campsite” there.

“We ask all occupants of the property to remove it, as well as their respective assets, by May 31, 2024”, can be read in a notice released today by company Alves Ribeiro, owner of the land.

Speaking to Lusa, one of the residents who occupies that space, Andreia Costa, regretted the situation, but explained that around 30 people are already trying to find an alternative solution, given the imminent eviction.

“We are negotiating for a piece of land, 30 of us have lived there daily since we arrived here”, he indicated, noting that there are four people who live there who need “a more in-depth look”, given their social situation.

In a response sent to Lusa, a source from the construction company Alves Ribeiro confirmed that the company is informing the “occupants of the land” that they will have to leave by May 31st, as well as all their assets.

The company also indicates that the first phase of intervention includes the construction of the “largest public urban park in the parish” on site, with the aim of carrying out “an important enhancement of the natural heritage, with the recovery and planting of native species, as well as such as the creation of a continuous green patch and the enhancement of the ecological system”.

“Among other recreational and leisure spaces for the community to enjoy, the project also includes a children’s playground, a football field with benches and training ground for the Grupo Sportivo de Carcavelos, a gymnasium center, as well as parking to support the beach. ”, the construction company also states, adding that 65% of the property will be provided for accessibility, green, social and leisure spaces.

In a reaction, the vice-president of the SOS Quinta dos Ingleses association, which has contested this urbanization plan, criticized the passivity of the Cascais Chamber (Lisbon district) and said that he will soon take a precautionary measure to suspend the planned intervention at Quinta dos Ingleses.

Pedro Jordão also mentioned that contacts are being made with the different political forces to schedule a meeting and discuss the urbanization project.

Contacted by Lusa, a Cascais City Council source referred to recent statements by the mayor of the municipality, Carlos Carreiras (PSD), who highlighted that the municipality “has neither the conditions nor the responsibility to ensure a housing alternative for the approximately 50 people who are living at Quinta dos Ingleses.

“For our part, we have absolutely nothing to do with it, nor is there an obligation. It wouldn’t be fair, from a social point of view, if the fact that they come to camp there forces the council to place them ahead of thousands of other Cascais citizens who have been registered for a long time and are signposted”, the mayor told Lusa this month.

In May 2021, Carlos Carreiras stated in the Assembly of the Republic that the municipality does not have the capacity to stop the Quinta dos Ingleses urbanization project, claiming that this would imply the payment of “unaffordable compensation”, since the promoters “have the right acquired over those lands.”

The Left Bloc and PAN (People-Animals-Nature) have already presented draft resolutions in parliament to preserve and safeguard Quinta dos Ingleses.