Tenerife’s ‘Underwater Garden’ Project Denied after Regulatory Setbacks
The Cabildo of Tenerife has granted the promoter of the ‘Underwater Garden’ project an opportunity to voice their concerns after revoking its status as an Insular Interest Project. This decision follows the project’s initial recreational appeal being deemed no longer relevant.
Alicia Leirachá, the island’s director of Strategic Projects, explained during the Cabildo meeting that the project’s initial proposal aimed to provide unique experiences engaging with nature through leisure, sport, art, and science, supported by favourable reports at the outset.
However, the promoter insisted on a comprehensive approach linking both land and marine aspects of the project. The Cabildo, restricted by its regulatory authority, could only consider the land component for Insular Interest status in 2022.
On the land side, Leirachá clarified that two types of rustic soil were involved: common rustic land and coastal protection zones, with only the common land eligible for the Insular Interest designation. The coastal protection areas were out of scope.
Leirachá further noted that the promoter was informed they could either withdraw the project or revise it according to the Insular Interest guidelines. Ultimately, after modifying the proposal and receiving deadline extensions, the submission was again rejected due to missing necessary authorisations.
“Without the marine authorisations and those for coastal protection, and lacking the essential environmental regeneration approval that underpins the Insular Interest designation, the project is not viable,” she stated.
During the meeting, the spokesperson for the Socialist Group reflected on the efficacy of the Insular Interest declaration, designed to expedite necessary initiatives. Initially agreed upon by the Cabildo in February 2022, the project still faces uncertainties nearly four and a half years later, with potential formal denial by the end of the year.
