Climate change is already an essential issue around Spain's coast, the broad, flat strip separating the Mediterranean from the Mar Menor, known as La Manga, is one of the areas particularly under threat. In spite of the worries about rising sea levels and the fact that the Murcian regional government does not permit construction within 500 metre of the high tide line, development on the La Manga strip has continued.

The Spain's Environment Ministry has published a new document, 'The Spanish Strategy for the Sustainability of the Coast'. This report not only suggests to block new building, but also to give the Murcian regional government the power to expropriate properties that have been built too close to the coast and buying up urbanisable land that is also valuable breeding land for birds and wildlife in order to prevent in being developed.

Even more controversial suggestions within the document include eliminating the port at San Pedro del Pinatar, as its presence is causing erosion of the dunes at San Pedro, and relocating the port at Aguilas.

The Murcia's regional government is unhappy with the proposals. Benito Mercader, the councillor for sustainable development, has suggested that the schemes are designed by the central government to appeal to the electorate, and invited representatives from the Environment Ministry to visit San Pedro del Pinatar and explain to the owners of moorings there that they're going to destroy the marina, or go to the 5,000 owners of properties on La Manga and tell them their homes are being expropriated.

Spanish central government is making serious attempts to curb illegal development and restore one of the country's greatest natural treasures. If you're thinking of acquiring a property on the Murcian coast, make sure you get your independent lawyer to check that any house you're looking that conforms to the 1988 Ley de Costas, so you'll know your home won't be expropriated in the future.
Also, check what local amenities are at risk of being relocated or closed: while they are few, if you're planning to spend your retirement 'messing about in boats', you won't want to buy a home near a soon-to-be-defunct marina.