There is something about the Silense coast that, for example, its regeneration was one of the cornerstones of the Isla Baja Consortium projects, in line with the Garachiquense port, the Buenavista golf course or the El Tanque ecomuseum. It has something because, among many other attractions, it includes one of the most spectacular and visited “collections” of puddles lined up in a small space in Tenerife, from the beach or puddle of La Araña to Los Chochos or Don Gabino.
Of course, the attractions are complemented by the Agua Dulce beach (with fine volcanic sand in the large lowlands) or the puddles in the silent part of La Caleta de Interián (El Del Inglés, El Cumplido or Juaniquín). However, it is the area located further west, the one facing Buenavista and Punta de Teno and known largely as Sibora (at least, part of it), which brings together the largest number of bathers, many of whom They visit and even spend several days in this corner with the typical caravans, motorhomes or camper vans.
Of course, the problem is that the proliferation has been intensifying to such a high level for years that, although it is a dynamic pole of the local economy, since many of these campers consume in the municipality, at least to supply themselves with supplies, Complaints from neighbors and users who walk or drive in simple cars that park in the designated spaces have also intensified and have convinced the new local government of the need to intervene.
In search of a regularization that avoids damage and moments of chaos, while taking advantage of this economic magnet (even on a small scale), the ruling team, chaired by Carmen Luz Baso (PSOE, which co-manages the municipality with Unidos Yes We Can after 28M), plans to regularize the camping activity in Sibora during this mandate.
To this end, and as the mayor tells DIARIO DE AVISOS, it is intended to delimit one or more spaces so that motorhomes and other camping vehicles can park, deploy their awnings and accessories (tables, chairs…) and deposit waste appropriately. .
Baso has met with the president of the Tenerife Cabildo, Rosa Dávila, to address this issue. As she explains, the Consistory will wait a reasonable amount of time for the content of the island ordinance which, as Dávila has indicated, has already been drafted after the assignment was made, although deadlines and regulations are still unknown.
However, the local president insists that, if the process of final approval of an island regularization (with its mandatory deadlines for appeals and allegations) is delayed excessively, the City Council will opt for a local ordinance that avoids the damages that are repeated every summer period, extended vacation period or many weekends.
POLICE CONTROL
At the moment, the Silense Government has not decided which specific spaces will be delimited or the rest of the rules of that ordinance, although Baso does emphasize that control would correspond to the Local Police. Furthermore, it indicates that, as this is a terrestrial maritime protected space, vehicles cannot be parked next to the puddles and adjacent areas on the dirt road that leads to each of the existing bathing areas between La Araña beach and the end. from this track, already close to the famous Buenavista lighthouse. However, this is usually not done and sometimes the chaos for maneuvering worsens, apart from the fact that you cannot continue by vehicle to the neighboring municipality because the road ends precisely in a large final puddle and many visitors.
Baso considers it crucial to put order to this activity without scaring away its users so that they continue choosing the municipality, but avoiding the serious consequences for other bathers, visitors and neighbors who frequent or go down to the coast on time. Although he is happy that the Silense coast maintains its attractions and is valued by many residents and tourists, he believes it is essential to regularize camping through balanced regulations, although they have not yet decided if it will have to be paid, if all the spaces will be free and other aspects.
What is clear is that the situation cannot last much longer.
Litigation to reopen and renew the pool concession
If the Silenses puddles are one of the main local attractions, the now closed El Puertito swimming pool, also in Sibora, was key for a long time. However, the Costas concession operated by the City Council expired and, in 2022, the municipal appeal was rejected.
To reverse this, the new Government has hired a lawyer specialized in these disputes, because it intends to litigate to reopen this space and achieve a new concession. According to the mayor, it is not only a well-established place for bathing and leisure, but also a key point as a cultural entertainer, civic center and public or private activity center. For this reason, and because it does not share the criteria of Costas, who has kept the file in his possession despite the transfer of powers to the Community in January 2023, the City Council will try to turn the situation around in court.
