The new Aminona resort would be built next to the three existing white towers

Lausanne, Switzerland (GenevaLunch) – The WWF Switzerland and the Swiss Fund for the Protection of Nature (FP) said Tuesday 8 December they have filed an appeal against the Aminona resort project near Crans-Montana in canton Valais, saying they “fear a fiasco for nature and the surrounding countryside, as well as for the region itself.”

The CHF350 million-plus plan, proposed by Aminona Luxury Resort and Village (ALRV)/Mirax, with support from the commune of Mollens, calls for 15 buildings to be constructed. Mollens has given a green light to the first phase of the project moving ahead, but environmental groups say neither the Russian developer Mirax nor the commune have given adequate assurances to a series of questions raised: the additional pressure on surrounding undeveloped areas, transport management, water supplies in this dryest part of Switzerland, energy management. For transport, WWF and the FP say the commune has provided only contradictory information, saying on the one hand public transport will be provided, and on the other, that the plans call for more than 500 parking spaces with no coordinated public transport.

WWF’s regional secretary, Marie-Thérèse Sangra, applauds the developers’ decision to opt for Minergie buildings, but she points out that in a luxury resort where occupation will be relatively low, they would need to use Minergie P ECO, not in the plans.

The appeal also points out that the commune and the developers have not provided the necessary guarantees for occupation levels that are required under federal law. The new buildings must be registered with the canton, which has developed a cantonal-wide programme that covers permits for sales to foreigners and new building permits. The purpose of the legislation is to reduce the number of empty rooms and chalets in resorts.

The WWF and FP also argue that the Alpine region needs to further develop tourism, but through better use of existing hotel space and housing.

WWF in a press release Monday 7 December says that 2009 has been an “excellent” year in terms of fundraising and projects in Switzerland. It is the country’s largest environmental group.

Background: GenevaLunch

Links to other sites: Knecht Immobilier (photos, models), Sixieme Dimension journal, WWF,

You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.