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Date Published: 16/12/2024

Tensions escalate at El Portús naturist campsite as residents clash with management

Security measures, legal disputes and safety concerns heighten unrest among residents

The ongoing conflict at El Portús naturist campsite has reached a new boiling point, with residents reporting heightened tensions over management’s latest measures. Long-term resident Chris Miller has detailed a series of incidents involving restrictive security actions, legal challenges and growing safety concerns.

According to Miller, residents are being pressured to sign a waiver absolving the campsite’s management, Newtown Capital, and its director, José Francisco Martínez Ros (known as Pepe), from any responsibility for the safety of residents or their property. Those refusing to sign the document have allegedly been barred from re-entering the site by private security guards hired by Newtown Capital.

Miller described incidents where residents returning from routine outings were denied access, including an elderly couple walking their dog and a French woman recovering from knee replacement surgery.

“There are currently half a dozen people locked out,” he stated, adding that tensions at the gates have grown “quite heated”.

The escalating situation came to a head when Miller and his partner Julie returned to the site after lunch this weekend to find a group of neighbours locked out. Determined to help, they bypassed security and forced open the barrier, allowing others to enter. Julie then lay down in the road to prevent security guards from closing the gate.

Security staff accused Miller of assault, prompting the Guardia Civil to arrive. However, upon questioning, the guards admitted no physical contact had occurred.

“The Guardia said it wasn’t for them to decide if people could enter or not, only a judge could make that decision. So while the Guardia were there we got everybody through the barrier,” Miller said.

Seven residents, including Julie, later filed formal denuncias, or legal complaints, with the Guardia Civil in Cartagena. The chief officer is said to be taking the allegations seriously, questioning security staff and expressing support for the residents’ actions.

“Julie showed him the letter that they were trying to get us to sign and e went ballistic,” said Miller. “He congratulated Julie on laying in the ground to stop the security guards blocking the entrance.”

Chris has also highlighted significant safety concerns at the site, including poor lighting and open trenches, which he described as “a health and safety disaster”. He claimed one resident recently fell into a trench, suffering a broken arm that required surgery.

Additionally, residents have reported incidents of intimidation by security staff. Miller recounted how a 70-year-old neighbour was chased to her home by security guards, who allegedly banged on her door and shouted threats.

The conflict has drawn considerable attention, with ongoing protests at the campsite’s entrance and the involvement of local police. Miller believes the management’s tactics aim to force long-term residents to leave the site so that the owners can undertake development work, but their heavy-handed approach has at times backfired, and prompted rebellion from the own staff.

“Some of the security staff have resigned because they don’t like the way the director is doing things here,” says Chris, who sees things ramping up dramatically of late.

“This is soon going to come to a head,” he predicted, as residents continue to push back against the management’s actions.

Image: Chris Miller

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