Portugal faces illegal construction crisis near NATO's key ammunition depot
Illegal construction around the NATO Ammunition Depot near Lisbon has become a pressing issue for Portugal’s Ministry of Defense. The problem has grown over the past five decades, with unauthorised buildings appearing inside the depot’s protected military zone. Now, officials are seeking legal guidance to address the situation and enforce compliance. The NATO Ammunition Depot sits across the municipalities of Sesimbra and Seixal, in the Setúbal district. As a key military site, it holds strategic importance for both national defence and Portugal’s NATO commitments. However, much of its protection zone overlaps with environmentally sensitive areas, including the Natura 2000 Network, the National Ecological Reserve (REN), and the Fernão Ferro/Lagoa de Albufeira Special Conservation Area.
Defense Minister Nuno Melo took action on April 2, 2023, by requesting an advisory opinion from the Attorney General’s Consultative Council. He asked whether the state could declare the expropriation of the military protection zone as a matter of public utility, ensuring a clear buffer area. The ministry also wants clarity on how to handle administrative steps, such as demolition orders and the relocation of residents affected by illegal builds. The Navy, which manages the depot, has no authority over urban planning enforcement. This has left the ministry coordinating with multiple bodies, including local councils and agencies responsible for the REN and Natura 2000 Network. The goal is to establish a unified approach to removing illegal structures while respecting legal and environmental constraints.
The Ministry of Defense is now waiting for the Attorney General’s Office to outline how procedures should move forward. This includes defining how demolitions will be carried out and how residents in the affected zone will be supported. Resolving the issue will require cooperation between military, municipal, and environmental authorities to ensure compliance with both defence and conservation laws.
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