SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 23rd April. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Minister of Ecological Transition and Energy of the Government of the Canary Islands, Mariano Hernández Zapata, dismissed claims made by the Socialist Group on Tuesday that there exists a record of the purchase of the land where a hotel is set to be constructed near Playa de la Tejita (Tenerife).
Responding to a query from Deputy Patricia Hernández during the parliamentary session, he mentioned that the matter was not discussed in the Ministry’s “transfer of powers” and instead, his team is aware of three court rulings that support the developer’s position.
He acknowledged that “all residents of the Canary Islands” will bear the burden of “multi-million Euro compensation” for the “unlawful actions” taken in the previous term.
“Let’s be realistic,” he remarked, stressing that there was no sufficient “specific allocation” in the 2023 budget as the 3.9 million Euros are designated for the restoration of coastal areas, and the legislation is explicit regarding the direct purchase of such properties.
The councillor stated that proof of “necessity conditions” is required, as this was absent from any technical reports of the prior administration.
Nevertheless, he assured that they are committed to finding “resolutions” with all stakeholders – including a forthcoming meeting with Granadilla’s mayor, Jennifer Miranda – and underscored that “decisions cannot be arbitrary or jeopardize legal certainty.”
He also questioned why the land was not acquired when the developer underwent appraisal twice and the Ministry “allowed it to lapse.”
Hernández refuted claims that the processing of this project is solely the responsibility of the PSOE, asserting that it stems from a partial plan endorsed prior to the enactment of the 1988 coastal law, received approval from the Vice-Ministry of Territorial Policy in 2016 – during Clavijo’s initial administration – and obtained a building permit subsequent to a vote of no confidence “with a mayor from the Canarian Coalition” and a demarcation already subject to scrutiny, which “transfers ownership of the future hotel to the public domain.”
He raised concerns regarding a “public weariness” with this development blueprint and within this context and halting of construction, he noted that the previous councillor, José Antonio Valbuena (PSOE), reached a consensus with the construction firm on land acquisition and even allocated a budget item.
“Don’t pass the buck, a record was indeed seen, a price was agreed upon with the construction company, and the logical step is to progress with the purchase process and halt the construction of the La Tejita hotel,” he appended.
