Residents of Lomo Negro Meet with Authorities to Discuss Housing Situation
Residents of Lomo Negro, a town next to El Fraile, gathered under the Association of Residents of Lomo Negro to meet with Fátima Lemes, Mayor of Arona, and Luis García, Councilor for Urban Development. The meeting took place at Casa de la Bodega to address concerns about the potential demolition of their unauthorized homes on rustic land. Following the meeting, residents expressed optimism, highlighting the proactive approach of the city council in negotiating the situation.
Lomo Negro is a housing development housing nearly 300 families on approximately 400,000 square metres of protected agricultural land. Recently, around 300 residents staged a peaceful demonstration dubbed the “green tide” in front of the cultural centre of Los Cristianos, urging authorities to regularize their living arrangements.
After the recent meeting, residents felt content with the outcomes, stating that a productive dialogue had been initiated with the city council. However, there is a looming possibility of enforcement actions for restoration of the land in some properties.
In their discussions, approximately 30 Lomo Negro residents addressed issues related to the legality of the land occupation and potential solutions. A pressing matter brought to light was the lack of access to potable water in the area, with residents resorting to manual methods for daily needs. Suggestions presented to the authorities included options like a moratorium, amnesty, or reclassification of the land type to resolve the situation. The city council committed to arranging a meeting with Gesplan, the regional government’s Territorial and Environmental Management and Planning body, to explore feasibility studies for reclassification. Residents indicated a positive reception from the mayor and councillor regarding their proposed solutions.
In addition to ongoing discussions with the city council, residents are planning to meet with Rosa Dávila, president of Cabildo de Tenerife, to address their concerns. They also intend to organize further demonstrations in front of the corporation to advocate for their rights.
