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Date Published: 14/05/2024

Plan to build 80m skyscrapers on Torrevieja beachfront scrapped for blocking view

The courts have denied building permits for 5 skyscrapers along the Costa Blanca coastline

Plans for constructing five skyscrapers in Torrevieja face uncertainty after the Valencian Community Superior Court and the Supreme Court rejected the detailed study for the buildings. The courts both agreed that the apartment blocks are contrary to the law against creating “architectural screens” – structures that noticeably stick out along the coastline and disrupt the view.

In all, two sets of towers, comprising five skyscrapers in all, have been denied building permits: two apartment blocks backed by Murcian Grupo Baraka beside the Doña Sinforosa park in the Acequión district. The pill is all the more bitter to swallow for developers in this case, since only the building licence remained pending.

In addition, the courts have outlawed three high-rises planned by Metrovacesa near the Acequión canal.

The contentious issue began with Metrovacesa appealing a 2019 resolution declining their request to develop near the Acequión canal. Meanwhile Costas, supported by the Ministry of the Environment, insisted that existing legislation prohibits erecting tall structures along the shoreline.

Initially, the goal of approving skyscrapers was to increase Torrevieja's scarce hotel accommodations, and all of the towers that were given the initial go-ahead included huge green spaces below them. Many of the plots which allowed for this style of vertical development lay near prime beaches like La Mata, Los Locos, El Acequión and Los Náufragos, much to the chagrin of locals.

In addition, detractors argue that the constructions may cast unwanted shadows on neighbouring properties and beaches. Environmentalists also worry about tree removal affecting parks, causing concern for residents in proximity to the Doña Sinforosa park.

The local government now faces huge challenges implementing the original vision outlined in the 2001 urban planning scheme. Developers may lose interest, and in the meantime the Torrevieja City Council is understandably worried about missing out on the projected revenue stream.

Nonetheless, supporters and the contractors themselves believe the designs put forward respect the environment far more than sprawling, one or two-storey developments common on the Costa Blanca.

Despite this enormous setback, the government is still optimistic that the five skyscrapers will eventually be built, even if the designs have to be modified.

Municipal sources believe that while the court rulings reversed the detailed studies, they did not nullify Special Modification 52, which enables the construction of towers up to 26 stories high.

In other news: Alicante Airport celebrates the busiest April of all time

Image: Grupo Baraka

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