For what it's worth, this is my report for the month of December 06'
We visited TH on the 2nd, didn't notice any huge improvement from our last visit in May.
There was however, some effort being made to construct a road between the existing Campos del Rio road and the existing winding road up to the development. This 'new' road is a long time being made and is still a long way off completion. There simply doesn't appear to be any great urgency whatsoever. Only one heavy plant machine is operating in this area. The surface is in rough dirt condition. On our last visit (29th), we noticed a number of mounds of small stone had been dropped off, presumably, to be spread ahead of tarmacadam. Judging by this very slow progress, it would be fair to assume that this will not be in place by the end of January.
On a more positive note, the car park area to the right of the offices is now totally sheltered and looks very smart.
The golf course has had a good number of palms and olive trees planted, but no shaping or bunkering etc has been put in place yet. It's still a blank canvas.
There where three bulldozers around the perimeter of the golf course burrowing out tracks, which will ultimately be the roads to our homes. There was also a lot of leveling going on, to the left of the offices and immediately in front, as you drive up. The maximum work force counted on site at any given time, didn't exceed four.
All in all, we where a little disappointed with the progress to date. It would appear that they are dragging their feet ahead of receiving permission to build. We arrived at this conclusion when we passed by their other development (El Trampolin) and seen a hive of activity on two new apartment blocks, which apparently where not part of the original plan!
There is also major changes to the plans our development as well! The phase for the second nine holes are now being sold. The sales team in TH will now only offer you the Macarena type property (3 bed bungalow) as an on course villa, whether first or second line (300k or 350k). When we enquired about the other three villas on offer, we where quickly dismissed and assured that they didn't represent very good value and of course they had 'stairs', and who wants stairs? We assumed that the Macarena, was the easier option for TH. The first nine holes phases are sold out, with the exception of a few apartment still remaining (100k) in the place allotted for the tennis courts. They are also building homes in the place allotted for the hotel. So, although there will still be a site for the hotel, but now, on a much smaller scale. A total of 2,700 properties will now be built on TH. The initial proposal for the second nine has changed very significantly indeed. The site allocated for the golf course would appear to have also been reduced in size. The Macarane's seem to have taken over. They will be very much in eye shot whilst playing golf, which may well explain why they only want this type of low rise property as front or second line. We where none too impressed with what we seen. They haven't yet released prices for the apartments. The girl said that they probably will be 30k dearer. When we inquired as to when the first properties would be handed over, she said 'towards the end of August' when I asked 'which August' she simply smiled. She went on to predict that work would now commence in 'February'. Don't hold your breath on that one!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hope this report has not dampened the ongoing enthusiasm about TH. Things are happening, but altogether too slowly. I have been advised that a year, to eighteen month delay in handover, looks very lightly. So sit back and enjoy the ride!
Regards
Joe & Terri
(sorry for going on a bit)