Preparation of Building Big

As you know, we have plans to build a small lodge/B&B and that is finally going to happen. In June we approved the plans of the architect, then we asked quotes from several building companies and visited some of the buildings they constructed. We chose a mr Zeballos to build our lodge. And he is now also helping us to get the necessary permits.

First we had to go to the fire brigade to get their approval. Then the electricity company, who only approve if the fire brigade approve. However, they also wanted to see the drawings of the electricity post (where we get the power from the mains), so we added that one. (they have already approved that during another process, but never mind). The department of health will only give approval after the environmental impact study has been approved by the Environment Authority, ANAM.

This environmental impact study proved to be quite a job. At the beginning of September we signed the contract and I gave them a tour of the property. After that a team of four specialists and an unknown number of assistants has visited again, and also interviewed the neighbours and to evaluate what is happening on our property. We have now seen part of the report and we are not impressed. Our own list of trees, birds and other animals present on the property is much more detailed, so we send that to the consultants. We do want a good report.

Before we can actually submit the report, we have to submit four documents: Three from the notary proving that we are the business and that the two farms are ours, and one from ANAM that we intend to submit an Environmental Impact study to them. For those who think this appears to be superfluous: We couldn’t agree more with you. This most important document can be submitted to ANAM in Santiago, but a document of such importance has to be evaluated by ANAM headquarters in Panama and it takes at least two weeks. So the quickest way is to go to ANAM headquarters and submit the document there, then it only takes ten minutes.

Loes had to go to Panama anyway to renew her temporary residency. And although she had to wait three hours, that is nothing compared to Kees’s visa problems (see http://keesangola.blogspot.com/ ).
After waiting for a few more technical drawings of our ecological anaerobic septic tank, we finally were able to submit on the 30th of October the Environmental Impact study – two copies they wanted, so we had to make a 3rd for IPAT... ANAM takes more or less until the 20th of November to evaluate the study and after that we only need the approval of the Ministry of Health. Which they say will be easy.

In the mean time, we are advancing with the purchase of materials, measuring the site and may start soon to build a shed to store these building materials and equipment. The contractor has also visited Malena to arrange housing for his workers and organize equipment and other things with people in the area. We are now behind schedule but we are not too worried. First, even if we had had the papers earlier, there is no way you can dig and pour foundations at the peak of the rainy season and second, the contractor has promised to hire extra personnel to make up for the delay. We expect to start the building by early December.