The Mayor of Adeje (Tenerife), José Miguel Rodríguez Fraga (PSOE), emphatically stated on Friday that the only viable path forward is the continuation of the Cuna del Alma project. This assertion came after a meeting with the Canary Islands Executive and the Cabildo to discuss the developments of this tourist urbanization.
The municipal councilor endorsed the project as a positive initiative that will significantly increase the public space in the area, enhance beach access, and significantly lower occupancy standards. He stressed that the project must proceed, ensuring compliance with all regulatory aspects, from urban planning to environmental considerations.
Rodríguez Fraga provided a historical overview of the project, noting that it has held legal rights since 1982, with its partial plan approved in 1998. However, in 2014, a downward modification was initiated to expand public areas and reduce building capacity.
He highlighted that the final approval of the plan modification occurred in 2018, leading to the commencement of urbanization works in 2022. Emphasizing the legality of the process, he underscored that Cuna del Alma has complied with all administrative procedures over its 30-year history.
The Mayor dismissed the notion of purchasing the land as a solution, citing the need to adhere to free competition. He explained that the City Council cannot afford the significant cost nor the repercussions of halting the project, estimated at €200 million. He advocated for investing in updated infrastructure to enhance competitiveness.
He clarified that while Cuna del Alma currently lacks a building permit, it holds the necessary tourist qualifications. The project is now in the urbanization phase to establish the land’s legal status as a building plot.
Rodríguez Fraga stressed the imperative to reevaluate the tourism model and diversify the economy, acknowledging existing dysfunctions. He reiterated the pivotal role of tourism as the driving force of the economy, urging against disruptions, such as those during the April 20 demonstrations calling for the project’s suspension.
He called for calm reflection on the concerns raised in the demonstrations, including infrastructure, housing availability, mobility, and the economic status of the Canary Islands. While respecting the absence of his party colleague, Granadilla Mayor Jennifer Miranda (PSOE), from the meeting with the Canarian Government to discuss the La Tejita hotel, he emphasized the importance of political assessments independent of institutional relationships.
