Following several months of debate, the Granadilla de Abona Council has recently proceeded to clear the site located opposite Montaña Roja, in El Médano, which had been utilised as an unauthorised parking area for motorhomes, caravans, and camperised vehicles for several months. This action was executed in collaboration with the Canarian Environmental Protection Agency and the landowner. It was not uncommon for between 20 and 30 vehicles to be parked there daily.
The primary issue regarding this site was that, while privately owned, it is designated as rural land for landscape protection. This designation means that actions such as erecting fences to manage or restrict access to the area cannot be undertaken without the involvement of other authorities. Consequently – after a bureaucratic process that took longer than anticipated – it has finally been resolved to outline the access with a line of stones to delineate the area and deter future occupation by additional vehicles.
David Santos, the spokesperson for the Socialist Group in the Granadilla Council, remarked yesterday that “it has not been straightforward, but, ultimately, we have managed to clear the numerous caravans from the Montaña Roja area, thanks to the efforts of municipal services and the Security Department, particularly the Local Police Force.”
The demarcation of the site was completed without any incidents, following notifications to the occupants several days prior. Santos explained that this new situation was largely expedited due to the adverse impacts this activity was having on the local ecosystem, particularly the accumulation of waste and oil spills.
The Granadilla Council has expressed a sustained commitment in recent months to prevent the emergence of large concentrations of caravans on private land while concurrently initiating processes to seek public spaces for establishing these parking areas.
This is all in anticipation of a consistent island ordinance applicable to all municipalities, a regulation that the Cabildo announced would be finalised last April.
PROTECT THE ENVIRONMENT
This process commenced when the landowner submitted a letter to the council claiming that he had not authorised the use of his property as a motorhome parking area. According to the municipal regulations, there are specific criteria that must be fulfilled for land to be officially designated for such parking, which were not satisfied in this case. Following the notification and upon receiving a request from the Canarian Environmental Protection Agency, the eviction procedure was initiated, aiming to safeguard the natural environment of Montaña Roja, an area that attracts significant tourist traffic and holds substantial ecological importance.
DIARIO DE AVISOS has been monitoring the situation in this area, even highlighting the story of a family living in a bus at this location, along with workers and others who, whether by necessity or personal choice, resided under similar conditions, resulting in considerable overcrowding in the region.
Yesterday, the Granadilla Council affirmed that it would maintain oversight of the area to help ensure the preservation of the landscape and the welfare of this region of interest.
