Thank you Jonny 34567 for your info re the golf course, which Helloall247 asked for, you are absolutely right about the golf course and the helicopter pads; but as Peter Munk said: “The first step is to get Tivat’s environmental house in order.”
The overall investment will be worth some $500m, the many years of shipbuilding and military activities have left a deep imprint on Kotor Bay. He is planning to redevelop a 24 hectare site into the largest luxury marina on the Eastern Mediterranean with over 700 berths! Progress is being made, on the 20.11.2007 there will be an Urban Planning meeting for areas including Tivat as well as Risan where we will be living ‘one day’, this will include infrastructure plans etc. which are critical for any development!

The new ‘motor way’ which I mentioned in a previous post is coming on very well, it will take people in 2 hours by car on the new ‘motorway’ from Morinj to beautiful Kolasin located at 954 m of altitude a city founded by Turks in the 17th century and considered to be an air spa, it is surrounded by magnificent mountains. Then there is Zabliak, the highest town in the Balkans, it is situated at an altitude of 1456 m in the heart of the Durmitor mountain range and represents a most attractive destination for winter tourism. Nearby is the deepest canyon in Europe (second deepest canyon in the World, after Colorado canyon, USA. The natural beauty that exisits around Zabljak is unbelievable, apart from the eXtrem rafting going on there!

We have just come back from Montenegro, travelling down from Sarajevo and Mostar this time, coming via Dubrovnik to Herzig Novi and then to Risan, timing our trip. On our way to Sarajevo we travelled via Serbia and were close to Žabljak the stunning Durmitor region, snow as far as the eye could see, but the roads were good.

Well, our ‘outline plan’ for our house had to be submitted to the planning department by the 17th November, and being down this week it had gone it. It is interesting though to learn time and time again, working within the framework of local experts like lawyers and architects, one is on the inner circle where everybody knows everyone. I did not know that there was an expert ‘planning lawyer’, ok it costs some extra money, but you do get additional advice smoothing the application process in a professional way! We want a home in Montenegro, with green aspects, currently there is no knowledge of that, lot of talk but no action, no labour with environmental skills not even enough builders!

But we have had meetings with the British Embassy there, also when we were in Bosnia, environmental issues are critical and finance for projects for environmental training etc. is available. Just collecting further info…

We had another meeting with our lawyer who showed us our plot of land on the land-register website, which is:- nekretnine , do check it out, he apologised for it being updated only every 10 to 14 days! Which is amazing for this part of the world, it takes 10 to 12 years in Macedonia.

Furthermore, some very important news:- If anybody wants to buy land in Montenegro which is larger than 500 m2, one needed to set up a company with one employee etc. so not cheap! We checked it out, on Sunday we met in Sarajevo by chance our neighbours to be in Montenegro, who had bought a substantial amount of land which via an arrangement had been leased back to him!

Now, with Montenegro having constitutions since the 19.10.2007, laws are currently going through the parliament which will give foreigners the same rights as the locals!! So said our lawyer, so look out for the change in law, no more companies have to be set-up!

It was lovely to be back in the sun, walking along Kotor-Risan Bay...

Well, here is the latest news about the Marina to be built in Tivat, prices of land/properties are still rising...

Montenegro: Luxury marina to be build at Tivat
10:04 - 23 November 2007
Canadian billionaire Peter Munk announced that it would build in Montenegrin coastal town Tivat a luxury marina for mega-yachts – Porto Montenegro. As Munk stated, this marina will turn Tivat into a Monaco of the southern Adriatic. "Marina Porto Montenegro will definitely become one of the most attractive places in the Mediterranean and will position Montenegro as a world-class nautical destination on the global map," said Munk.
Munk's company Adriatic Marinas has already started demolishing of facilities within acquired military marine overhaul facility "Savo Kovacevic" in Tivat, where the new nautical-tourist centre would be constructed. Munk added that construction of the Porto Montenegro should be complete by 2011.

Marina will be available to yacht owners 265 days a year and would offer 800 ties, said Munk, adding that Porto Montenegro and Tivat would turn into a service centre, housing companies for yacht charters, yacht engineers, mechanics, architects and designers, but would also offer luxury hotels, bars, restaurants and trade centres.

Hello Anke, you mentioned a road was being build to Kolasin, I heard that a road was being built to Zabljak from Risan with a journey time of about an hour, do you know if there are 2 different roads being built?

Hi Johnny34567,

Sorry I have been away and am catching up. There is a road being built which will start near to Risan it's Monrinj actually, 10 minutes wawy from Risan, closer to the ferry. It is said, that the journey will take about 2 hours up to Zabljak.
We heard from friends in Montenegro, that this new road will eventually lead or incorporate
a road to Kolasin. We will be in Montenegro again within 2-3 weeks and I will check it out.
Happy New Year to you and all who read my post.

16 January 2008 Podgorica, Montenegro has taken a step towards contributing to regional environmental cooperation by signing the Barcelona Convention and joining the Mediterranean Action Plan, MAP.
This is a huge step forwards for Montenegro, “Signing the Convention and membership in MAP will give Montenegro a big chance to become an excample of how to develop the country, especially its coast, in a sustainable way,” said Pedrag Nenezic, Minister for Tourism and Environment.
So what is the Barcelona Convention you may ask? The Barcelona Convention, concluded in 1976, is the basis for international cooperation in the protection of the marine environment and coastal regions of the Mediterranean. “Joining the Convention gives us the possibility to
actively take part in all activities and get money from certain funds”, Nenezic added.
Among the obligations Montenegro will have to shoulder under the Barcelona Convention are the requirement to establish protected marine areas, to adopt legal regulations to safeguard them from pollution and from invasive species.

The buzz surrounding Kotor Bay and Tivat in the coastal area of Montenegro is growing with the new marina of a half a billion investment starting to take shape. Prices are anticipated to go up to eventually a staggering €15,000 per sq metre, that’s what local agents are saying. The stunning scenery, the winding coastline cut with fjords, and historic towns, monasteries, castles and villas reflecting ancient Venetian hegemony are very much sought after!

Prices for old apartments within the walls of the UNESCO protected town Kotor are up to €4,000 per sq metre, where in Perast still near the bay, prices are now €2,500 to €3,500 per sq metre.
These are all signs that the country is heading in the right direction. The Worldbank has developed a four year strategy to help shore up public finances, strengthen social services and carry out environmental clean-ups. Granting planning permission is a serious business now, with Montenegro heading towards the EU accession road, it is a must! Travel and Tourism growth is expected to be 9.9% from 2006 till 2015, faster than any other place in the world!

We are hanging in the planning permission chain, and Risan being close to Perast our neighbour is a very old Roman site… heaven it will take time. We will be down there again from the 28th of January, rattling a few cages, and starting to lay the foundation for potential training of environmental regs. and s awareness raising for solar panels and recycling of water etc. with the CG government, university and NGOs alike. So, we are looking for companies who are interested in doing environmental business in Montenegro/Balkan countries!

So, watch this space!

Well, we have had already a mini summer here in Kotor with 20C degrees, sitting out in a cafe overlooking the beautiful adriatic sea!

Local word is, that Brits and others are going back to Croatia to look for a plot of land or a house which has been forgotton, as Montenegro is becoming too expensive.

The longer we are here, getting to know the local folks, the more one becomes aware there is little know-how on how to build 'green', or environmental friendly.We were looking for a 'tourist office' in Podgarica yesterday to find accommodation in Podgarica,... there was not one, why do you need a tourist office in the capital?

More meetings with the architect and lawyer, as details plans are actually being prepared now!
They do have some incredible fish restaurants here... we are hanging in there... Will be looking at the marina development tomorrow, so look out for more info.

With Tivat being on the brink of economic development in terms of “Europe’s luxury deep see Marina project” for mega yachts and mooring infrastructure, plus the luxury hotel complex etc., it was interesting reading the key message from the Worldbank October 2007, which was:

“Integrating Environment into Key Economic Sectors are a “Prerequisite for Sustainable Development”.
Furthermore they said: The transition to a market economy, presents both a challenge and an opportunity to put in place policies and incentives that would minimise the environmental impact of increased development, while ensuring the sustainable management of natural resources and the environment.

Developing policies is one thing, but if one within Montenegro still has to do endless awareness raising “WHY” any new build or re-constructed houses should incorporate “recycling water” systems/facilities before one even starts anything! Makes it tough, it’s starting from a –I guess “brown-polluted-field situation, rather than a green field!

Is it easier to simply think, I can buy my drinking water why bother, yet long term- managing vital water supplies could be done on a watershed and ecosystem, but…
Still, we have our plan, and we are off to Brussels via Montenegro next week to knock on some environmental friendly doors, try anyway!

Ps. Remember, 1ccm of polluted soil takes 200 years to redevelop, to clean itself!

Anke,

Great to read all your posts. I work for one of the UK investors in Montenegro - our aim is to try and keep the sustainable integrity of our new-build developments on the coast. There are still many challenges ahead of us and its a fine balancing act, but it does seem to be more and more on the agenda.

Hi Caddydale,

Thank you for your comments re my posts; it’s good to hear that your company’s aim in your new-build developments on the coast will include sustainable integrity, would be interesting to know, whether your build includes energy efficiency and renewable energies with so much sun, but there are so many other aspects, wish we could talk!

What is an ecohouse? Eco architecture sees buildings as part of the larger ecology of the planet and the building as part of a living habitat. This contrasts with the more common notions of many architects, who see a building as a work of art, perhaps on exhibition in a settlement or as ‘frozen music’ in the people-less pictures of glossy magazines! Ecology is defined as the study of the interactions of organisms and their physical and biological environment. Organisms have the ability to control the movement of energy and material between their internal and external environments. They adapt to in order to use the water, energy, heat, light and resources available in different environments and climates to sustain life in the multiplicity of ecosystems on the planet.

The oil crisis in the 1970 resulted in the rise of the solar house movement: homes built to use clean renewable energy from the sun.
It is said, that the first step when approaching a design in a new climate should always be to try and understand the overall climate of the site in relation to how much protection the house will need against the climate.

We learnt last month from our architect that due to a wind funnelling from the sea against the mountains our ‘eco’ house –we are in the detail planning phase now- required certain aspects to offset this; oh dear, our own view had been so very different! So, we are learning about the Nicol graph, (named after Professor Fergus Nicol, Director of Architecture Unit, Oxford Institute for Sustainable Development) Quite fascinating, the Nicol graph shows a rough idea of the amount of heating and cooling the building will require in each month, i.e. the thermal line (TC) does not represent a single temperature line but a running mean of the sort of temperature that an indigenous person would feel comfortable in. For example: in summer the people in Scotland would be happy at 18°C while in Malaysia, Japan and the Caribbean the TC is around 27°C.

We are back in Montenegro next week, finalising the design, will we ever have a house?

Gatwick and Montenegro direct Flight Links confirmed!

Foreign property investors are set to benefit from improved access to Montenegro, it has been confirmed. Montenegro Airlines is to begin operating direct flights to London Airport, which means air passengers no longer have to travel via Croatia. According to The Telegraph, the new services are likely to have a number of positive effects for British consumers.

The newspaper believes that the eastern European country will become more popular among tourists now that accessibility has been improved. In addition, The Telegraph has predicted that the flights will boost the property market and generate new interest among foreign investors. The newspaper commented: "Flights direct to Montenegro will boost the tourism and property market there." Earlier this week, the country was praised by - an independent property news service - for offering a number of attractions, including straightforward property ownership rules and a government which actively encourages foreign investment.

Interestingly, in a similar fashion to Morocco, Montenegro has pushed for diplomatic links with the hot bed of property investment, the United Arab Emirates where investors are always on the look out for good value long term property markets. So does the Montenegro real estate market measure up?
While property in Montenegro would not normally spring to mind if you were looking for an overseas investment market, it is actually perfectly placed to benefit from the growing interest from tourists, already using the Euro, Montenegro sees its future as European Union member and offers those looking for a home abroad some beautiful properties at prices which are a fraction of those elsewhere in Europe.

Latest News from the ‘Investment into Montenegro’ Conference:

18 hole golf course is out for tender we heard at the VEF (Viennese Economic Forum) conference in Beĉići, Montenegro, last week hosted by the PM of Montenegro, with the
Deputy PM and Ministers from the Environment-Tourism, Economic Development departments giving their various presentations, highlighting the plans for infrastructure, environment etc. are in place.

Hearing the presentation from the CEO of Porto Montenegro, quite mind-blowing, they are aiming at the high end of the tourism market with the increase in ‘billionaires’ Montenegro will be a ‘lifestyle destination’, anything under 6 Star is not worth anything! The first 150 room 6 STAR FOUR SEASONS HOTEL will start laying its foundation soon!
‘Less is More’, the CEO said, a Premier Super Yacht Home for 200 mega yachts that is for ships longer than 50 m, 450 binding places will be for the ships up to 50 m and 6 bindings for the reception of biggest and luxurious yachts in the world which are more than 100m long, the marina will be in a beautiful elegant landscaped environment, keeping the historical ambience, high quality building, so we were told! 1 Yacht of a billionaire is equal to 50 tourists in spend…

I thought it particular interesting that Camper Nicholson are a strategic partner, as a luxury 240 year old family boat designer and builder, rightly so, an ancillary industrial yacht repair,
etc. will be established.
I asked about the education and training aspect/vocational training, 6 star hotels need 6 star waiters or catering staff etc.,let alone all the other skills that are needed, my question was taken in seriously by the PM, the environmental concerns were noted, well, we will see!
Anybody travelling to Montenegro to have a look around, be prepared to wait in traffic jams, as the infrastructure is going in everywhere big time. Avoid Sutemore, on the way to Bar, Tivat, well, just hang in there or walk, most of the roads are up.
But is was lovely and warm walking along the shore, we are still on the waiting list of planning permission, when will that get approved? We are making progress for our passive house though.

Well, off to Montenegro again tomorrow, meetings to develop the environmental aspects with planning people, it will be interesting.

Any of you 'villa owners in Montenegro' coming to the British and Commonwealth Party in Kotor on Saturday? Perhaps see you there!

Hi Anke, I am trying to deal with planning issues in Risan. Do you know someone sensible who is on top of the process and who may be able to advise me?
Thanks!

Hi Coqdor,
I tried to reply from Kotor, but the internet cafe facilities are not good. So, the answer re a good 'planning issue contact' is NO! The new planning team started in November last year, they are working on urban plans for Risan at the moment so 'one has to wait'! Unless you do a Montenegrin job and build 'wild', but after all our enquiries and making contacts with a number of people with influence, as a foreigner to build there 'illegally' is NOT advisable.

We learnt some interesting lessons from other people at the British Embassy party last week, where neighbours reported them to ?, officials came round and they had to stop building, pay a heavy fine (which is never ending, pockets are many and deep)!

We will be down there again in 3 weeks, hoping to get more info from our architect.

One expression of an expat re planning permission was: Next Monday you will know more, but that could mean in 6 months time, a year etc. Not encouraging, some people were quite unsettled. It's wait at the moment or shell out a lot of 'money' to move forwards.
Working together as a 'community' would carry more weight, there are 'curry events' once a month etc. where people seem to come together to discuss their problems. The Embassy event was extremely useful.
Regards A.

quote:

Originally posted by Anke:
One expression of an expat re planning permission was:

You mean "immigrant", surely?

Whoops, sorry.

When we Brits go and live in someone else's country and avail ourselves of the amenities and infrastructure that they've paid for, we're "ex-pats", of course.

well VBland may be that goes for you as well living in Germany?
You may not believe it, but there are ex-pats clubs all around the Balkans...

Anke

From reading your posts, I think your architect and lawyer might be stringing you along. It's a common misconception in Montenegro that you need a lawyer to organise paperwork for building approval. Not true, usually they have no idea because they're not very good at administration or attention to detail.

Like everywhere else, your architect can do it considering it's a technical task that is relatively straightforward. The only thing which you would have to give him would be your paperwork from the Land Registry which is just a case of filling in forms and standing in a queue.

The initial stage which I think you mentioned was to get preliminary guidelines. If you've been given these, they're quite detailed and tell you the total area you can build, materials to use etc. Once you submit your final plans, getting the actual approval is very easy if you've stuck to their guidelines.

Be very sceptical of anyone offering professional services here because more often than not, they have no idea what 'professional' means. It's also a good idea to see the planning person at the council who is dealing with your paperwork on your own because if they have a problem with your lawyer or architect they'll probably tell you.

Don't mean to sound so negative and cynical but I've been burnt here myself and learnt the hard way. In the end, I bit the bullet and did it all myself even though my Serbian is very basic. The planning people actually took pity on me because they knew what I'd been through and were very helpful.

Hi TanyaN,
Thank you very much for your interest and constructive comments; in principal you could be right. We asked local and Balkan friends for much advice how to find a lawyer, architect etc. in Montenegro, we are very sure to have made a good choice. Time and time we hear again from British friends and other who are just starting with buying that the names of our people come up on top of almost every list. Having said that, there is much building going on as you know and Russian people have a great pull especially as an architect you can choose your customers!

Our plot of land is located very close to the “Remains of Ancient Roman Ruins with Mosaics, going back to the 2nd and 3rd century AD” it is included in the Unesco World Heritage List, which is currently undergoing protective measures by USAID and other donors. The territory of Risan dates from the Illyrian and Hellenic Roman period and this place is one of the most important archaeological sites in Montenegro!

Risan as a territory is currently being ‘urbanised’, and that is one of our problem, the other wanting to build an ECO HOUSE - environmental friendly construction-, with solar energy, with the water shortage in Montenegro we want to recycle all our water, also monitoring and managing energy usage is a challenge, hence we are looking at building management systems as any automated system will help reduce energy bills etc. etc.. We came across a lady from an Embassy who pays €500, - a month in the winter for heating!

There is a HUGE shortage of green-friendly industry professionals; there are no laws for building green, how can the Planning Officer give us eventually planning permission when he does not know- based on what? It is frustrating to say the least, but that’s what we want to do and will be hanging in there.

The UNDP building in Pogorica will be the first ECO building in the world our house is second in Montenegro ( and not having that sort of money). We have made a breakthrough to sit in with meetings with the GREEN Austrian architect who designed the UN building, consulting engineers from the UK etc. etc. We knew from the beginning it would take time… but…

Anke

Have you been in touch with a NGO in Kotor called Expeditio? They do a lot of work in relation to sustainable architecture with local councils, especially Kotor.