The City Council of Los Realejos has had to forfeit the €1.8 million in Next Generation funds from the European Union allocated for the restoration of the La Gorvorana estate, a significant property in the municipality showcasing 17th-century Canarian architecture. Despite being an emblem of the municipality, it is currently listed in the Red List of Spanish historical heritage compiled by the Hispania Nostra association due to its deteriorating state.
The rehabilitation project was presented in June last year with a total cost of €8.2 million. Fernando Arocha, a member of the writing team, explained that the project involved a detailed analysis and historical description of the estate, including its heritage values, construction elements, and proposed solutions. Over twenty professionals from various fields took part in this initiative.
This issue came to light during a municipal plenary session where the spokesperson for the Socialist group, Melissa García Dóniz, inquired about the reasons for this fund return. The Councilor for Heritage, Darío Pérez, clarified that the funds had to be returned due to a deadline issue as the initial 24-month period had lapsed.
Despite this setback, the government group remains committed to securing additional funding to proceed with the project. The socialist councilor criticized the lack of action taken to preserve this important heritage site, emphasizing the pressing need to protect and maintain such assets.
The Mayor, Adolfo González, outlined the challenges faced in securing the necessary funds and the complexities involved in the contracting process. He stressed the Council’s dedication to advancing the project and expressed regret over the missed opportunity to utilize the allocated funds.
In a statement to the press, González clarified that the subsidy has not been lost, rather strategically waived to explore alternative funding options within the current availability. This decision aims to increase the total funding pool for the project.
