SANTA CRUZ DE TENERIFE, 8th May. (EUROPA PRESS) –
The Canary Islands Parliament has opposed a Non-Law Proposition from the PSOE to urge the Government of the Canary Islands to finalise the process started by the ‘Flower Pact’ Government to acquire the land in La Tejita (Granadilla de Abona) where a hotel is currently under construction. This decision was made with the votes of the quadripartite groups (CC, PP, ASG and AHI) and Vox, with the aim of halting construction work and expanding the environmental and landscape preservation of the Montaña Roja Special Natural Reserve.
Representative Patricia Hernández, who presented the PNL, expressed the need to make a clear decision about halting the works and restoring the area to citizens. She highlighted that such a measure would meet the demands of a significant portion of the public and emphasised that negotiations for the land purchase began in 2022 with budget allocations in place.
Hernández accused the Canary Coalition of politicising the issue and using it as a tool against other parties. She also accused President of the Government, Fernando Clavijo, of dishonesty in claiming that construction permits for the hotel were issued by the PSOE. She stated, “Mr. Clavijo lied, or his advisor, Mr. Regalado, failed to inform him that the two permits from the City Council were granted during his tenure.”
Referring to the funds for land acquisition, Hernández pointed out that the Inheritance and Donation Tax reduction alone for this year amounts to 10.66 million euros, while other expenditure items sum up to 7.5 million euros. She indicated that these funds, multiplied over a short period, are sufficient to cover the purchase. She stressed that voting against this proposition would be a choice to disregard public demands and support the construction of a hotel overlooking the last untouched natural beach in the south of the island.
Hernández concluded by stating that the purchase of this land would mark the beginning of a new era, allowing the restoration of its natural state and becoming a symbol of change witnessed by the public.
ESTABLISHING A “RISKY” PRECEDENT
Raúl Acosta, spokesperson for the Mixed Group, highlighted the importance of exploring alternative solutions before acquiring the land to avoid setting a “risky” precedent. He cautioned that this purchase could invite other administrations to reverse past decisions using public funds.
Jesús Ramos Chinea of the Gomera Socialist Group (ASG) supported this view, suggesting that using public money to rectify past urban planning mistakes would deplete resources. He recommended exhausting dialogues between involved authorities and developers to reach a consensus.
Nicasio Galván of the Vox Group emphasised that if all necessary permits are in place for the hotel construction in La Tejita, any further intervention would create legal uncertainties and deter private investors.
In alignment with the Socialist Party’s PNL, Natalia Santana of the Nueva Canarias-Bloque Canarista Group (NC-BC) recalled past negotiations under the previous government to acquire the property for 25 million euros. Santana highlighted that the public concern over the hotel’s location and its proximity to a protected area justified the need for this exceptional acquisition.
Popular deputy Jennifer Curbelo criticised the Socialist Party for proposing the acquisition of La Tejita land while supporting hotel construction in Caleta de Adeje. Miguel Martín Fumero (CC) dismissed the PNL as opportunistic and populist. He suggested that the Mayor of Granadilla, Jennifer Miranda, should settle Inheritance Tax obligations, a burden left by the Socialist Party and mayor Jaime González Ceja.
