Land use news in Portugal

Latest news and stories about land use in Portugal for expats and residents.

Featured stories

Air Force shooting range moves to make way for airport

📍 Alter do Chão 🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment#defense-policy+3 more

The Air Force shooting range (Campo de Tiro) will move from Alcochete to Alter do Chão to allow for the construction of the new Lus de Cames Airport. Minister of National Defence Nuno Melo confirmed the relocation, which will bring 200 military personnel and their families to the Portalegre district. Residents in the new location have been assured that environmental safeguards and local agricultural activities will be maintained.

Nuno Melo is the president of CDS-PP (Centro Democrático e Social – Partido Popular), a Christian democratic party in Portugal. In the story he linked Chega's position to socialism, compared André Ventura to Donald Trump, and urged party members to vote 'in conscience' in the presidential runoff on the 8th, a stance that could affect centre‑right voters.

5 sources →11 Mar

Air Force shooting range moves to make way for airport

APA flags major impacts on Sophia solar project

🌱 Environment#environmental-impact+3 more

The Portuguese Environment Agency (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente or APA) has identified 'significant and very significant' negative impacts in the environmental impact assessment for the Sophia photovoltaic project, ECO and Observador report. The finding could force changes to the project's design, mitigation plans or could delay licensing while developers respond to the EIA committee's concerns. Developers, local councils and nearby residents should follow the EIA process and public consultations for potential changes or compensatory measures.

The APA (Agência Portuguesa do Ambiente) is Portugal's central environmental authority, responsible for environmental policy, climate action, water resources, waste management, and coastal protection. It operates under the Ministry of Environment and Energy.

APA manages Portugal's water resources including river basins, dam operations, and flood risk planning. It monitors air and water quality, oversees waste treatment facilities, manages the national emissions trading scheme, and leads Portugal's climate adaptation strategies.

The agency is particularly prominent during flood events, as it controls dam discharges and coordinates water management across Portugal's major rivers. APA also processes environmental impact assessments and licenses for projects affecting natural resources.

2 sources →18 Feb

APA flags major impacts on Sophia solar project

Recent articles

If the law prevents projects from being approved, change the law, says Minister of Agriculture to the ICNF (published 23 January)

🏛️ Government 🌱 Environment 🏠 Property#land-use+3 more

Right of reply from the Minister of Agriculture to PÚBLICO’s 23–24 January coverage, addressed to the ICNF. The minister argues that regulatory or legal obstacles that block project approvals should be tackled by changing the law rather than abandoning projects, stressing that governing cannot be synonymous with mere execution. The reply frames the issue as one of policy and regulatory design — balancing property rights, environmental protection and development — and calls for clearer, reform-minded legal solutions to streamline approvals while respecting conservation responsibilities.

Público31 Jan

If the law prevents projects from being approved, change the law, says Minister of Agriculture to the ICNF (published 23 January)

Land for medicinal cannabis: PS deputy suspected of lying

⚖️ Legal 🏛️ Government#land-use+2 more

A member of the PS National Political Commission allegedly lied to purchase a large plot of land in Ribeira de Pena, in the Vila Real district, at a low cost. The 22-hectare property was acquired under the pretext that it would be used to grow medicinal cannabis.

rtp.pt1 May