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One of the settlements with construction materials. Miriam Gil Albert
Shantytowns Return to Alicante's Rural Areas

Shantytowns Return to Alicante's Rural Areas

Residents of La Cañada del Fenollar Report Illegal Constructions and Settlements in the Area

Tere Compañy Martínez

Alicante

Miércoles, 16 de octubre 2024, 07:25

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Illegal housing construction has returned to the rural areas of Alicante. Residents of La Cañada have organized to file complaints with the Urban Planning Department of Alicante City Council, the Valencian Agency for Territorial Protection (AVPT), and the Seprona of the Civil Guard due to the emergence of allegedly illegal constructions on a plot in the area, such as caravans, cabins, and shanties.

Residents have reported that for the past year there have been settlements on various lands in the city's rural areas. "The situation is very chaotic, there is a state of fear because public safety has decreased, this used to be a very peaceful neighborhood and now it is dangerous, some residents have even been threatened," explains the president of the residents' association of La Cañada, José Cremades.

From this entity, they have already filed more than 16 complaints - on more than 20 existing plots - with the Alicante City Council for alleged urban irregularities, in addition to others with Seprona related to the situation of the ravine land and alleged environmental crimes related to the native flora and fauna of this land, which, to this day, is still classified as rural. Moreover, they have taken it upon themselves to compile which plots are affected by this alleged illegality.

Several houses on rural land. Miriam Gil Albert
Imagen principal - Several houses on rural land.
Imagen secundaria 1 - Several houses on rural land.
Imagen secundaria 2 - Several houses on rural land.

"We feel completely abandoned by the City Council and the Local Police do not want to take measures or face the problem. In the end, there is a housing problem in Alicante and they move it here, which was a very quiet neighborhood," explains this neighborhood leader.

Among the complaints that have been filed by this entity, they have also raised their complaint to the Ombudsman, who has accepted the complaint and requested information from the Alicante City Council and the AVPT.

"We are seeing how local authorities avoid taking precautionary measures and pass the responsibility from one body to another, without wanting to face the problem directly," declare from this association. "The scam is evident and is being carried out in plain sight, with public announcements of illegal plot sales. We have presented strong evidence, but the authorities prefer not to act," insists Cremades.

Environmental impact and danger in case of rain

Residents include in their claims that the settlements are affecting a protected ravine area, that these constructions alter the soil balance and even force protected species to move from their burrows. Residents are also concerned that they affect the natural drainage system of the land and that in case of heavy rainfall, the blockage of this flood zone "could cause significant disasters in the area."

From this entity, they request harsher penalties for offenders and that inspections in affected areas be strengthened to prevent new settlements. "Our community cannot continue to be a victim of illegal speculation that threatens our lifestyle and degrades our natural environment," concludes the spokesperson.

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todoalicante Shantytowns Return to Alicante's Rural Areas