The president of the Cabildo of Lanzarote presided this Thursday over a working meeting to address a "common strategy when appealing the increase of the coastal protection strip up to 100 meters, a unilateral decision of the State government that seriously affects the town of Playa Blanca, since this change of criteria especially compromises several urban projects in the Montaña Roja area."
The island president has warned that "what is intended to be done with the coastline of Lanzarote and La Graciosa is a real aberration, because this begins in Playa Blanca, but will end in Órzola; affecting the urban planning of the seven municipalities and, therefore, the economic activity and the daily life of merchants and residents, who will have problems even to place a pergola."
The general director of Coasts of the Government of the Canary Islands, Antonio Acosta, was present at the meeting this Thursday, who confirmed that the Canary Executive, "despite our permanent effort for dialogue to find negotiated solutions", presented the appeal last Tuesday against the regulatory modification. Also in this forum were the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Lanzarote and La Graciosa, José Valle, the island councilor of Territorial Policy, Jesús Machín, the island director of Territorial Policy, Miguel Ángel Santana, and several promoters and businessmen from Lanzarote. The mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, participated through videoconference.
Antonio Acosta explained the work carried out by the General Directorate of Coasts of the Government of the Canary Islands on this matter, and clarified: "Our priority is to order the coastline and make environmental protection compatible with economic development and our main industry. And we have been working on that," said Acosta before noting that his department currently maintains different open conflicts with the State. "We will go where we have to go in the defense of the interests of the Canary Islands."
Regarding the administrative appeal filed against the Ministry's decision on the coastal demarcation in Playa Blanca, Antonio Acosta confirmed that the appeal has a technical report detailing the costly compensation that this regulation would lead to. He also confirmed that during these months they have prepared "a document that serves as a basis for presenting our appeal and coordinating the necessary actions in the defense of the interests of our Community in this area."
In this meeting chaired by Oswaldo Betancort, the presentation of the different appeals of the administrations and individuals has been coordinated after receiving the mandatory notifications. The Cabildo plans to hold a meeting next month with the heads of the State Secretariat "to explain the reasons for this regulatory change in which if before they maintained a reduced protection easement of 20 meters, now they have decided to increase the protection strip to 100 meters," Betancort detailed, who recalled that "from the first moment," the Institution requested the Canarian Government to appear in this matter and thus support "from the first minute" the interests of the people of Lanzarote.
The president of the Chamber of Commerce, José Valle, also showed his discontent: "We are very concerned about this new resolution of the 100-meter demarcation that affects Playa Blanca. I think it is positive that all parties sit at the table to reach a consensus and try to solve this issue that, without a doubt, would be a major setback for the economic and social development of the municipality of Yaiza, affecting numerous individuals and companies."
While the mayor of Yaiza, Óscar Noda, has advocated "for the commitment of all institutions to present the relevant appeals because it is a problem that not only affects Yaiza, but ultimately all of Lanzarote. Since we learned on July 2 of the Ministerial Order rectifying the demarcation, we announced the presentation of a municipal appeal, as did individuals. Yaiza hopes to be present at all meetings that the Cabildo holds with Coasts in Madrid for the technical legal monitoring of the case."
The PIOL will be this month
In addition, the island president has announced that on September 30, the Cabildo will receive the draft of the Island Plan of Approval of Lanzarote (PIOL) from the drafting team; and that the forecast is to take it to plenary approval a few days later.
Oswaldo Betancort requested urgency and diligence from social and economic agents when studying the document. "As it cannot be otherwise, we will respect the deadlines for public display for allegations, but we are not going to enter into unnecessary delays because some do not study the document in a timely manner. Unlike during the past term, we consider it important enough for Lanzarote and La Graciosa not to delay it even a day more than absolutely necessary."
Finally, the meeting also addressed the development of the next tourism modernization plans for Playa Blanca and Costa Teguise, plans for which the Island Corporation has already enabled an economic allocation of more than one million euros.