Politicians call to curb number of luxury holiday villas in Adeje
The Podemos–Izquierda Unida political party in Adeje Town Hall has announced a motion to be presented tomorrow, seeking to limit the rapid increase in the number of luxury tourist villas in the municipality in the south of Tenerife.
Councillor Gabriel González, who is promoting the proposal, argues that the expansion of this type of accommodation is happening “outside the limits set by regional legislation,” creating unregulated construction and urban development.
The group claims that the surge in villa tourism is driven by “speculative interests” that lead to scattered construction, high consumption of resources, and pressure on public services. They add that the current model favours luxury and territorial segregation, to the detriment of residents and balanced urban growth.
Legal framework
The motion is based on the Canary Islands’ 2013 Tourism Renovation and Modernisation Law, which sets clear criteria for density, location, and maximum thresholds for tourist villa development. This includes a cap of 30% of consolidated urban land being converted into tourist villas, density limits of 10–40 units per hectare, and restrictions on construction within 200 metres of the coastline.
However, Podemos argues that in many parts of Adeje “these legal thresholds are not being respected,” resulting in fragmented development, rising housing costs, and increased consumption of water and energy, while pushing local residents out of the area.
“The current planning system, and even certain amendments, are allowing (and in some cases encouraging) this type of tourist development without assessing its cumulative impact on the area,” González said.
Proposed measures
The motion calls for specific density limits for villas to be introduced into the current planning framework, and for a temporary suspension of new licence approvals until compliance with legal requirements is confirmed in each sector.
Podemos warns that the lack of control threatens environmental sustainability, the use of public services, infrastructure, and access to housing in Adeje for the people who live in the municipality. González concluded: “We are witnessing a transformation of the municipality’s model, driven by market logic, without effective public control.”
The motion will be debated and voted on during Adeje Town Hall’s plenary session tomorrow (Thursday).
What this means for tourists
If approved, the motion would not affect existing villa rentals in Adeje, but it could slow down the development of new luxury villas in popular areas such as La Caleta and Costa Adeje.
For visitors, this may eventually limit the availability of high-end private villas, while encouraging a shift back towards hotels and apartments as the main accommodation options.
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