The Lanzarote Cabildo has granted tourist authorisation to the Papagayo Arena hotel in Playa Blanca, despite its illegal status and the fact it is facing a demolition order. The hotel violates several urban laws as it has more floors and is higher than permitted, and is two plots built on a public beach access on protected coastal land.
The hotel continues to operate while in a "process of legalisation," even though the Yaiza Town Hall is responsible for determining its compliance with urban planning laws.
The Lanzarote Cabildo has justified its decision by stating that it only evaluates compliance with the Tourism Law, not urban legality. The hotel, built with irregular licenses under former Mayor José Francisco Reyes during a period of corruption, continues to operate despite numerous legal challenges.
Recently, the Coastal Authority extended the protection zone from 20 to 100 metres, further complicating the hotel's legal status. Despite these issues, the hotel’s promoter argues that there is "nothing left to protect" in the zone and has requested a reassessment of the boundary.
Yesterday, August 19th, the Canary Islands Government signed a collaboration agreement with the promoter, Papagayo Arena S.L., that focuses on providing training and employment opportunities through the Canary Islands Employment Service (SCE) for the hotel's staff and unemployed people, despite the hotel being placed in a coastal protection zone by the Spanish Coastal Authority.
The agreement does not involve financial contributions from either party and will only take effect if the hotel obtains the necessary tourism license from the Yaiza Town Hall.
The Canary Islands Government and Yaiza Town Hall have been reported to the Public Prosecutor's Office for failing to restore urban planning legality in the area.
