Abrantes council seeks new river beaches and 100 affordable homes by 2030

The Abrantes municipal council said the Albufeira do Castelo do Bode reservoir needs more river beaches to meet growing demand. The two existing sites are now considered insufficient, and officials have identified five to six possible locations. Implementation faces obstacles such as road access, parking, negotiations with private landowners, and environmental regulations. Council president noted, “Na verdade, pensar, todos pensamos; executar é que às vezes é mais difícil,” acknowledging the difficulty of moving from planning to construction.

In parallel, the council announced a target to create roughly 100 affordable rental homes by 2030. The first phase already secured contracts for 64 apartments funded through the EU Recovery and Resilience Plan, repurposing vacant buildings. A new funding application is being prepared, with rents projected at €350‑€400 per month for a two‑bedroom unit, well below the €800‑€1,000 private‑market rate. The programme is aimed at working‑age families and young people, not social housing.