On 21 September 1968, Francisco Lebasque Belloncle, the developer behind Planas del Rey, sent an official letter to Pratdip Town Council.
In it, he stated his intention to transfer to the municipality the development’s main road network and public services. He asked the Town Council to accept the transfer of the roads, water supply and wastewater networks, street lighting, waste collection and security services.
Francisco Lebasque explained that the initiative responded to a request from property owners and that, in his view, it was the most appropriate way to improve the administration and provision of services in Planas del Rey.
A formal proposal for transfer
The letter represents a formal initiative by the developer addressed to the Town Council. On its own, however, it does not constitute a final legal transfer of ownership.
Francisco Lebasque expressly asks the Town Council to accept the transfer and states that he will provide any additional documentation the municipal authorities consider necessary.
He also indicates that he will provide a list of the owners of houses and plots in the development, together with details of outstanding amounts relating to maintenance and services from previous years, so that these sums can be claimed and settled under the applicable procedure.
The document therefore shows that, in 1968, a transfer of Planas del Rey’s roads and public services to the municipality was clearly being proposed. It does not, however, establish on its own that the transfer was legally completed at that time.
A water network still separate from the municipal system
The letter also provides an important detail concerning the supply of drinking water.
Francisco Lebasque states that the Town Council may use the flow then supplying the main reservoir, which formed part of the network included in the proposed transfer, until the development’s network is connected to Pratdip’s municipal water system.
This confirms that, in September 1968, the two networks were not yet connected.
A clear intention to transfer infrastructure as early as 1968
This letter is an important document for understanding the administrative history of Planas del Rey.
It establishes that, as early as 1968, the developer intended to transfer a substantial part of the development’s infrastructure and public services to the municipality and formally asked the Town Council to accept that transfer.
It is nevertheless important to distinguish between the intention to transfer these assets and the legal completion of that transfer, which required further acts and documentation.
Jim – La Tribune de Planas
Translation of the original document
To the Mayor-President of Pratdip Town Council
I, FRANCISCO LEBASQUE BELLONCLE, of legal age, married, property owner and resident of Planas del Rey (Pratdip), respectfully state the following:
In my capacity as developer of the Planas del Rey development, located within the municipality of Pratdip, and in accordance with the request made to me by its property owners, as well as with what I personally consider to be the most appropriate course of action in order to ensure better administration and provision of services within the development, I intend to transfer the main road network and public services to Pratdip Town Council.
In order for this transfer to be carried out in accordance with the legal requirements, I respectfully request that the Mayor accept the transfer, which includes:
- the roads within the development;
- the water supply networks;
- the wastewater drainage networks;
- street lighting;
- waste collection services;
- security and surveillance services;
- and all other services falling within municipal responsibility.
For this purpose, I will provide any additional documentation that the municipal authorities consider appropriate to request, together with a list of the owners of houses and plots within the development and a statement of the amounts owed by them in respect of the maintenance and provision of the above-mentioned services for previous years, so that these amounts may be claimed and collected in accordance with the applicable procedure and the corresponding settlement may then be made with the developer transferring the said services and road network.
With regard to the supply of drinking water, it is specified that the Town Council may use the flow currently supplying the main reservoir included in the network covered by this transfer until the development’s network is connected to Pratdip’s municipal water system.
I respectfully submit this request in the hope that it will receive a favourable response.
Signed at Planas del Rey, for Pratdip,
21 September 1968
