Arona Council leads coordinated operation against illegal land use and settlements
The Arona Council has carried out a coordinated intervention in the area of El Vivo, near Guaza in the south of Tenerife, following neighbourhood complaints and inspections that confirmed the existence of illegal land parcelling and separation, encouraging non-sanctioned activities, including people living in non-licensed buildings.
This action marks the first step in a wider inter-administrative security plan designed to tackle unauthorised settlements while also addressing the social needs linked to these situations.
The operation was coordinated across various departments of the local authority and followed objectives agreed during a recent working meeting at Arona Town Hall. The meeting included representatives of the local council, the Canary Islands Government, the Tenerife Cabildo, and national security forces.
The intervention involved the Local Police of Arona and the Guardia Civil, supported by staff from the Urban Planning and Social Services departments. Officials assessed the circumstances of people living in the area, identified unmet basic needs, and activated social assistance resources where required.
The mayor of Arona, Fátima Lemes Reverón, stressed the importance of a comprehensive approach: “This is not only an urban planning issue, but also a social and environmental one. It is essential to act with coordination, technical rigour, and social sensitivity. We must put an end to past inaction, while remembering that nobody is above the law.”
The El Vivo intervention is among the first actions derived from the new plan, which also includes the creation of a technical monitoring commission. This body will ensure the correct implementation of objectives, provide effective case-by-case responses, and promote long-term preventative measures.
What Are Parcelaciones Ilegales?
In Spain, parcelaciones ilegales refers to the illegal division and sale of rural or protected land into smaller plots for housing or other uses, often without planning permission or basic infrastructure such as water, sewage, or electricity.
These settlements can:
- Breach urban planning laws and environmental protection regulations.
- Create health and safety risks, as the land is not serviced or properly regulated.
- Lead to social challenges, as vulnerable people are sometimes drawn to low-cost but illegal housing options.
Local authorities are increasingly taking action to prevent these developments and to balance enforcement with social support for those affected.
Share:
