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ARCHIVED - Lorca makes major changes to town planning and noise pollution laws

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Casinos, bars and other commercial buildings in Lorca will be subject to tough new regulations

<span style='color:#780948'>ARCHIVED</span> - Lorca makes major changes to town planning and noise pollution laws

Lorca City Council has this week approved changes to its General Municipal Planning that will ensure that gambling and betting shops aren’t situated within 500 metres of schools and that commercial premises are no longer used as residential properties. In addition, places of worship will have to be located in designated buildings with proper accessibility, parking and other facilities.

Under a separate ordinance, new noise pollution regulations aim to support Lorca’s hospitality industry while at the same time respecting its citizens’ rights to peace and quiet.

Commerical premises

Under the new legislation, property owners will no longer be allowed to convert the ground floor or basements of commercial buildings into homes. The objective is to preserve the bustling commercial centre of Lorca and keep tighter controls on the use of buildings.

Gaming

Betting shops, casinos, bingo halls and other places where games of chance are played will now have to be located more than 500 metres from sports and cultural centres, clinics and health centres, schools and other educational institutes. In addition, the same distance must be placed, at least, between one casino and another.

Religious centres

Religious social facilities will have to be located in exclusive buildings, meet certain height conditions and provide appropriate pedestrian access, lobbies, toilets and minimum parking facilities.

Noise pollution

The noise ordinance has been modified with the objective of “promoting leisure activities in Lorca but at the same time respecting rest and citizen coexistence and all those residing in areas near catering establishments”.

Under the new rules:

TVs and piped music will be allowed in all bars and restaurants in properly licenced premises.
Establishments that are considered to be particularly loud will have to install noise control devices or noise limiters that will be monitored by the Lorca City Council.
Minimum street width will be reduced from 7 to 5 square metres, while the required surface area for commercial premises will go from 100 square metres to 55. This is to encourage more local businesses and hospitality establishments in the city centre.
Live music and shows will now be allowed in pubs and restaurants in the afternoon.

The changes to the noise ordinance will be approved by the Municipal Plenary on Monday February 6.