The Cabildo of Lanzarote has taken a crucial step in the territorial and environmental management of the island by approving, in the Extraordinary Plenary held this Monday, the referral of the draft Island Plan for Territorial Planning of Lanzarote (PIOT) to the Environmental Evaluation Body of the island.
This preliminary document will replace the current plan from 1991 and is presented as a key tool to face the great challenges of the island in the next thirty years. The new PIOT addresses challenges such as the population growth expected by 2050, the preservation of natural resources, and the planning of a balanced island development that respects the environment.
The president of the Cabildo, Oswaldo Betancort, highlighted "the importance of this new action by his Government." "Lanzarote and La Graciosa could not wait any longer. Our islands and our people are above political games and interests, and this step we are taking today is fundamental to advance in the sustainable and balanced development of our land," he emphasizes.
Betancort also emphasizes that "in just 15 months we have made possible what they said was impossible, and we already have a preliminary document of the new PIOT that will respect our idiosyncrasy and the feeling of the population of Lanzarote and La Graciosa regarding the planning of the territory."
During his speech at the plenary session, the Councilor for Territorial Policy and Land Planning, Jesús Machín, indicated that "the draft PIOT is an innovative document, which is at the forefront of urban planning and territorial policy in the Canary Islands, and is fully adapted to current regulations."
The councilor details that "once the preliminary document is evaluated by the Environmental Body of Lanzarote, it will be submitted to consultation with public administrations and citizens in general." "Transparency and citizen participation," added Machín, "will be key to developing a plan that represents the interests of the entire population."
Finally, it should be remembered that the draft PIOT will also have a strategic environmental study, as well as the relevant reports from the technical and legal services of the Cabildo before its initial approval.