Bulgaria News

Bansko construction halt fuels concerns

20 November 2006

The mayor of Bansko, Alexander Kravarov, announced a temporary halt to all construction in Bulgaria’s largest ski-resort from 1 January, while the authorities complete a new urban plan and much needed infrastructural work. According to Kravarov, almost 300 construction permits have been issued since 2005, and despite growing concerns that the scale of development was adversely affecting the town, he said that the local infrastructure was able to cope.

However, Stanislav Novakov, deputy head of the Bulgarian State Tourism Agency, said in a recent interview with Focus news agency that there were significant problems with the local water supply and electricity provision due to the rapid pace of construction. Although work was underway to improve the situation, he said it wouldn’t be completed for this season.

“The fact that the mayor has issued this temporary pause indicates that Bansko is a touch out of control,” remarks Guy Hamilton Simcock of property company Orpheus International. “We also have a furniture supply company and getting access to some developments can be hazardous because of the condition of the roads.”

The scale of recent development in Bansko means that buyers must proceed with great care, advised Hamilton Simcock. Select a high-quality development that is going to offer outstanding facilities and which has a good location, close the ski lifts for example.

Worries about over-development in Bansko have encouraged investors to focus on the nearby towns of Razlog, 6km north of Bansko and the site of a new golf course, and Dobrinishte, where the state-run Invest Bulgaria Agency has recently approved plans to construct two new ski centres.

Rapid development and rising prices in Bansko have also encouraged interest in Bulgaria’s other ski areas, Pamporovo and Borovets. Nearly 500 million euro have been invested in Pamporovo, according to Bulgarian daily 24 Chassa, with 124 developments currently under construction. The Invest Bulgaria Agency also gave the green-light for a new ski resort at Perelik, near Pamporovo, earlier this year, with the plans involving a 255 million euro investment in 24 ski-lifts, artificial snow equipment and hotels. However, Novakov of the State Tourism Agency also expressed concern about the ability of Pamporovo’s infrastructure to cope with the scale of current development.