92002E2157

WRITTEN QUESTION P-2157/02

by María Rodríguez Ramos (PSE) to the Commission

(11 July 2002)

Subject: ERDF funding for the destruction of three medieval water mills

The work involved in executing the project measures affecting various stretches of the river Duero, partly funded by the ERDF, has led to the unjustified and unsupervised demolition of the water mills of Cabañales (Zamora). These buildings feature in the above-mentioned project, according to which they were supposed to be restored and converted to house nature study centres.

The public prosecutor at the Zamora Provincial Court has initiated proceedings and Zamora town council has ordered that the work be suspended.

Irrespective of the measures being carried out in the Member State concerned, and taking into account the harm done to the Commission's image by a project receiving European funding being executed in a manner contrary to that intended, does the Commission intend to impose any kind of sanction on those responsible for this aggression against the cultural heritage, once it has been established who they are?

Answer given by Mr Barnier on behalf of the Commission

(12 August 2002)

According to information received from the Spanish authorities, the project Actuaciones en varios tramos del río Duero, Zamora is included for co-financing at 70 % by the European Regional Development Fund under measure 6 (Protection and regeneration of the natural environment) of the third priority of the Integrated operational programme Castilla y León for the 2000-2006 programming period.

The Spanish environmental authorities competent in the area have certified that the works do not affect any site classified as a Natura 2000 protected area and that this project is not required to follow an Environmental Impact Assessment procedure.

The project has been the subject of a complaint for possible incorrect application of Community legislation relative to the assessment of the effects of certain public and private projects on the environment. Where the Commission identifies any breach of Community legislation regarding the development of the project, it will take the appropriate measures. These include a possible suspension of financial support for the project as long as all the legal requirements are not met.