Alicante Council Legalises New Private Hospital Construction in Vistahermosa Norte

In the first session of Alicante's 2025 council meeting, the amendment to the General Urban Development Plan (PGOU) was approved on Thursday to legalise the construction of a private hospital in the Vistahermosa Norte area. The project involves building a healthcare centre with two additional floors beyond the original construction permit. With this urban planning document amendment, the construction is now permitted.

This amendment, which will now be subject to public consultation, does not exempt the company from a "historic and unprecedented" fine. Initially, the developer will compensate the City Council with 785,000 euros for the increased building capacity, aside from the penalty for the committed irregularities, which is yet to be determined.

The session began with PSOE's request to remove the item from the agenda. The socialists argue that the change favours a particular company. They demanded that the government team wait for the judicial process to conclude before proceeding with the amendment. PP and Vox rejected the socialist proposal, leading to a vote.

Shortly after, PP councillor Manuel Villar defended the PGOU amendment. He recalled that when the amendment allowing increased building capacity was introduced, it was approved with the support of all political groups. As explained in the Urban Planning Commission and supported by legal reports, "continuing with the amendment process does not conflict with the sanction and restoration proceedings also being prepared by the City Council."

Among the opposition, the left expressed disagreement with what they see as a "tailor-made" amendment. Meanwhile, Vox was satisfied with the government's explanations and criticised socialist spokesperson Ana Barceló for a Valencia urban amendment that allowed the Clinic's expansion.

EU-Podem councillor Manolo Copé highlighted that "this decision sets the stage for a 'anything goes' policy, and if not challenged, will severely undermine the guarantee of compliance with urban legality in Alicante." The councillor questioned why the government team does not wait for the judicial resolution before proceeding with the amendment.

Meanwhile, Compromís councillor Sara Llobell also criticised the lack of access to the amendment's files. She argued that even if the company is sanctioned, "they are opening a door for others to act like this, outside the law. The permit only allowed for two floors, and they built four." "You don't govern for the people, you govern for others," Llobell concluded.

Vox spokesperson Carmen Robledillo reminded councillor Ana Barceló that during her tenure as Health Minister, the Valencia City Council made an urban planning amendment to allow the installation of consulting rooms and operating theatres in the city's hospitals after announcing the expansion. This is considered analogous by this party, despite only involving changes in usage. "This situation arises from the lack of control by the Urban Planning Department, which failed to see that the company built two additional floors, and by the government team, which did not provide all explanations from the outset," Robledillo emphasised. The Vox party believes this process is compatible with continuing the restoration and sanction proceedings, thus deciding to vote in favour.

Socialist spokesperson Ana Barceló was one of the most vocal, stating that "it's a hallmark that when something doesn't fit the General Plan, we change it." The socialist group will initiate "appropriate legal actions against the amendment" and also against those who vote in favour. "It's a tailored suit, a custom amendment, and a favour to a company, which is why we will maintain in court that this council is committing an illegality," the councillor emphasised.

The proposal was approved with 16 votes in favour (PP and Vox) and 11 against (PSOE, Compromís, and EU-Podem), a majority influenced by the absence of PP councillors Nayma Beldjilay and Rocío Gómez.