Delays, delays… and more delays.

So, you may be wondering why there has been such a long delay since the last update. Well, it’s quite simple really, nothing has happened.

Once the architect’s final plans were approved they were submitted to the Urban Agency in Tangier (via the local Urban Agency in Meshlew) in order to get planning permission. We took great care to ensure that we provided the authorities with exactly the information which they required, however, as is always the case, there were some documents missing, and then the plans had the wrong title, and then they were held in the local office for several weeks (we still don’t know why).

We were then told that we had to wait for the planning permission committee to meet so that they could assess the plans and make their decision. Throughout this rather tedious process we were very patient (as a result of previous experiences with Moroccan bureaucracy), but were quietly confident that the plans would be accepted, as we weren’t asking for anything too crazy and had tried to follow the norms. Weeks passed and I kept being told, “This Monday the committee will meet”, and when by Tuesday I had heard nothing, I knew that they had not met.

Eventually, the architect himself got fed-up with the situation and decided to pay the Urban Agency a visit in person. There he was told that it was very unlikely that the plans would be accepted as an urban planning review of that specific area was currently taking place. From what I understand, they are carrying out a review of use of the land in this area, and deciding whether to invest in any infrastructure (roads, etc).

Following this rather disheartening news, I decided to find out for myself exactly what was going on. This time we were told that a) they were concerned that we were building a tourist property (the plans submitted were for a private house) and b) they needed proof that the land was not agricultural. Point b) was a stupid query as planning permission was granted to the previous owner of the land, who never actually built anything. He would not have received planning permission if the land was agricultural, thus, the old plans (which we have) are proof enough that the land is not for agricultural use. However, this information did not satisfy the urban agency people. They wanted us to apply to another board for new proof.

From there we went to the other office to apply for this proof. This office was the Investment Office. Here the very friendly director told us what we already knew, that the previous existence of planning permission invalidated the need for new proof. However, he offered us the form to fill in. I was then told that this process would take approx. 6 months! Insane.  

As you can see we were in a bit of a complicated, nonsenciscal situation. Numerous options were put forward, none of which appeared to take less than 6 months. The easiest solution would be to do it “the Moroccan way”, but given that my project is orientated around progress and development I don’t think I want to go down that route. I want to do things the legal way; I just wish it could be a bit simpler and clearer. And I still can’t believe it when they tell me there is one rule for nationals and another from foreigners. You’d think that the prospect of financial investment, job creation and more tourism would be appealing to the authorities…apparently not. It is obvious from the various new government initiatives, with regards to tourism and energy, that there is a desire from those at the top to be sustainable. It just a shame that the message is not trickling down to the key decision-makers. Uff!

Following all this confusing information, Nabil made a repeat visit to the Urban Agency to see if he could clarify the situation a bit. He went straight to the top and asked the chief of the Urban Agency what the deal was. Once again, he was told that due to the review of the area no planning permission would be granted in that area for at least the next 7 – 12 months.

So, at the moment, the options I see are 1) wait: suspend the project until the urban planning review is complete and then resubmit the plans, 2) use the old plans: those which we received from the previous owner and which have already been granted planning permission. At present I am looking in to how we can use and modify these plans to achieve the type of building suitable to the project. On these plans the house is much smaller, which means fewer bedrooms. However, the space around the property could be used for bamboo hut accommodation, as was the original idea.

It’s hard to keep motivated with so much rejection, but we’re all staying positive and I’m confident that we will come up with a successful solution. My dream of a 2011 summer opening is well and truly over, but I stay optimistic for a 2012 inauguration J

If anyone has any bright ideas I’d love to hear them.