The rural area of Huesca in Aragon, Spain has been hit by a minor earthquake in the shape of a plan to build five theme parks and dozens of hotel casinos in an area that at present has around seven inhabitants per square kilometre. Los Monegros (Black Mountains from Montes Negros) is on a desert plain where some 2,000 hectares will be incorporated in an initiative named ‘Gran Scala’ that involves an investment in the region of €17 billion in a huge entertainment, leisure and gaming complex.

The Aragonese Government has confirmed that a multiparty commission has been discreetly working on the project since last January. Investors from the UK, Australia, the US and France have formed the group International Leisure to develop the site over the next ten years. Central government has said that if it is kept informed and the anticipated level of investment is maintained then it will undertake to provide necessary infrastructure.

International Leisure is believed to have strong financial backing that will require no funding from the Aragon government. In contrast, the project is expected to contribute €600 million annually in taxes. As the tourism scheme is beyond normal investment projects Aragon will be facilitating legislation to ensure that land and environmental issues are considered and necessary planning permits and licences granted. (E-11.21.07)

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