92001E2889

WRITTEN QUESTION E-2889/01

by María Sornosa Martínez (PSE) to the Commission

(22 October 2001)

Subject: ERDF project rehabilitation of the Los Filtros district of Manises (Valencia, Spain)

In the town of Manises (in the Region of Valencia) a project entitled restoration of the environment in a run-down area, with protection of a natural area the urban surroundings of Los Filtros in Manises. This project, which benefits from Community funding via the ERDF, has led to the disappearance of architectural features dating from the beginning of the last century, which were hitherto protected by the competent authorities as part of the historic and artistic heritage, in accordance with the Manises PGOU (general town-planning project).

Furthermore the project has received ERDF funding for supposed restoration of the district, whilst in fact what is happening is that a wooded area is being replaced with modern design features which improve neither the landscape nor the urban environment.

Both Regulation No 1260/99(1) on the structural funds and Regulation 1783/99(2) on the ERDF specify that the Funds will not finance projects which interfere with the protection of the natural and cultural heritage. Article 2(2)(d) of the ERDF Regulation specifically mentions the need to protect the cultural heritage.

Since one of the uses of the ERDF is to rehabilitate run-down areas, can the Commission say:

- on the basis of what criteria funding was granted for the above project, which includes the demolition of architectural features protected by the Manises PGOU;

- what supervision mechanisms were used to ensure correct allocation of ERDF funding in this particular case?

(1) OJ L 161, 26.6.1999, p. 1.

(2) OJ L 213, 13.8.1999, p. 1.

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(26 October 2001)

The Commission is collecting the information it needs to answer the question. It will communicate its findings as soon as possible.