The Jordán-Martinón family, owners of the island of Alegranza, assures that their aspiration is to be able to "enjoy" the territory they have owned since the 1940s, for which a revision of the Master Plan for Use and Management (PRUG) of the Chinijo Archipelago is necessary. Currently, there are two rulings from the Superior Court of Justice of the Canary Islands (TSJC) that support the position of the owners.
This revision would consist of a relaxation of the current rights of use of Alegranza, which 24 years ago was classified as a Protected Natural Space along with the rest of the Archipelago - also made up of Roque del Este and Oeste and the Islands of Montaña Clara and La Graciosa.
However, as a family spokesperson confirmed to ACN Press, this would "in no case" involve urban developments on the Island, but would allow "an orderly visit that could generate income to maintain the small infrastructures that already exist", such as a house, several sheds, an undetermined number of houses and two dams.
In this sense, the Jordán-Martinón, who have owned Alegranza for 66 years when they bought it from the Benítez de Lugo family, affirm that they feel "more protective than anyone" of this territory, and recall that they have had the opportunity "to
build or sell to businessmen who intended to urbanize the area" and have not done so.
"The Island is as it is not because of public protection, but because it has been under our responsibility," explain family sources, who insist that their "commitment" is that all Canarians - including themselves - "can enjoy the space, one of the most beautiful there is".
Currently, the restriction on the uses of Alegranza is high, and among other things, it establishes maximum daily visit quotas, prohibits the possibility of anchoring boats, staying overnight on the Island or walking outside the established paths.
"The owners have requested since Chinijo was declared a protected area to be able to enjoy the island in reasonable conditions," indicates the spokesperson, who recalls that they have "never" refused to sit down with the Government of Spain or the Autonomous Executive "to talk about possible sales or expropriations".
This week, the Minister of the Environment and Territorial Policy, Domingo Berriel, assured in Parliament that he would try "an approach" with the owners of the Island, although he recognized the difficulty of reaching an agreement between the protection of the territory that the Government of the Canary Islands intends and "the expectations" that the property has for it.
However, the family denies that the Government of the Canary Islands can know "their expectations", among other things, "because they have not sat down to talk with us". Eight months ago, they verbally requested a meeting with Domingo Berriel, coinciding with the first ruling in favor of the family from the TSJC.
But since then, it has not occurred, and the "latest news" is that the Canarian Government accepted that they participate in the consortium of the Chinijo Archipelago, which discusses the regulatory agreement of the park, "but with voice, without vote and without the consideration of member", lament sources close to the property, who recall that in 24 years "no one" has met with them.
One of the issues that have been considered in this process is a forced "expropriation" of Alegranza, but according to the Coasts Law, this could occur on rocks or islets, "but never on an island, as is the case", so both parties 'are condemned to understand each other' sooner or later.
ACN
