First Step Towards Legalisation of a Private Hospital Under Construction in Vistahermosa Norte

First step towards the legalisation of a private hospital under construction in Vistahermosa Norte. The Urban Planning Commission approved on Monday, with votes in favour from PP and Vox and against from PSE and Compromís, the resolution of objections and provisional approval of the Specific Modification No. 4 of the Partial Plan for the APA/9 Vistahermosa sector.

This modification proposes the reclassification of block M-15 in the sector, where a private hospital is being built, from residential use (Single-Family Housing) to special tertiary use, in direct application of Article 93.A of the Urban Planning Regulations of Alicante's General Urban Development Plan (PGOU). An article introduced by the specific modification No. 42 of the PGOU. The modification of the partial plan will also allow increased buildability and raise a height currently permitted in the block. A height that the building has already reached, which was beyond the license granted in 2022.

The next step will be the provisional approval by the plenary session of the Alicante City Council, scheduled for next Thursday, 31st July. It will be the Valencian Government that grants, in this case, the final approval.

The Urban Planning Councillor stated that the approval of this specific modification "does not exempt the responsible company, MPT Alicante, from paying a penalty for urban planning irregularities." The responsible company will have to compensate the City Council with 785,000 euros, in addition to having to pay a penalty that will be "historic and unprecedented", as stated by the Deputy Mayor and government spokesperson, Manuel Villar.

The responsible company, MPT Alicante, constructed a building to be used as a private hospital in the new Vistahermosa Norte partial plan on a block designated for single-family housing, according to the current General Urban Development Plan (PGOU). The construction also exceeded the permitted buildability by adding two more floors than planned.

Therefore, the Alicante City Council issued a decree on 13th September 2024, ordering the immediate halt of the works in progress for "not complying with the license granted" in 2022.

This halt reached the courts, which ordered the City Council to lift the suspension so that the works could resume. After negotiations between Urban Planning and the developer, the plenary session in February approved the opening of the PGOU modification file so that the final work complies with urban planning regulations and public exhibition. Now, after the resolution of objections, provisional approval proceeds.