A boat shed painted with the colors of the flag of the Canary Islands stands out among a handful of rubble. As an excavator demolishes the hut, the white interior walls and the characteristic green decorations of the coastal areas of Lanzarote are revealed. "We feel that a small part of our memory has also been torn down," says Aday Bonilla, a relative of the owners, in a conversation with La Voz.
The Demarcation of Coasts of the Government of Spain has demolished this small family summer house facing the sea, measuring 31 square meters, located in Caleta de Escamas in Haría. This is one of the few constructions that were built on the malpaís of La Corona, between Jameos del Agua and the town of Órzola. After decades of administrative procedures, last Monday, August 24, heavy machinery razed the history of this family home, turning a property built before the 1950s into rubble.
"We are not asking for special treatment under the law," defends this relative, but he does question that "on an island like Lanzarote, with so many problems that concern its inhabitants daily, a family construction used for decades for summer holidays becomes one of the actions that deserve such forcefulness," explains Bonilla. The Lanzarote native laments that there are "more serious and urgent" problems such as access to housing, lack of affordable rentals, tourist pressure, the precariousness of many families, etc.
Since it was built, this small house facing the sea was used as a summer residence, to take advantage of the summer months and rest for fishing and swimming on the coast. "Simple moments were lived, childhood memories and family gatherings," continues Bonilla.
The insular director of the General Administration of the State in Lanzarote, Pedro Viera, explained to La Voz that an expedient for the recovery of possession was initiated in front of this dwelling in June 2008. The property had been included within the public maritime-terrestrial boundary that extends from Playa del Caletón to Punta del Burro, approved in July 2006.
"Are we really protecting Lanzarote and its heritage, or are we simply making disappear what is easiest to make disappear?" he adds.
Almost twenty years later, the resolution to demolish this dwelling became final, both through administrative and judicial channels, and on July 1st, the Court notified Costas that it could proceed with the demolition. Faced with this, the family states that on August 24th, the date set for the demolition, the court of instance number 5 agreed to suspend the execution of the demolition. However, the little house was torn down.
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