Environmental group Salvar La Tejita has filed a legal complaint in the Arona Court against the developers of the Cuna del Alma tourism complex, Segunda Casa Adeje SL, for an alleged crime against historical heritage. The group also submitted an administrative complaint to the Directorate-General for Culture and Historical Heritage of the Canary Islands Government regarding the same issue.
In 2023, the regional government allowed a sanctioning procedure to expire despite multiple severe violations that could have resulted in fines of up to €600,000.
Destruction of an Archaeological Site
According to Salvar La Tejita, in 2022, an archaeological site of significant historical value, featuring engravings and hut structures, was destroyed despite two negative reports from the Heritage Department of the Tenerife Cabildo. Additionally, an archaeological report by ArqueoCanarias SL, commissioned by the developer in 2019, was allegedly concealed from authorities.
The report identified the archaeological site, later destroyed, yet Salvar La Tejita claims that the developers knowingly allowed excavation machinery to demolish it. Furthermore, the group alleges that at least three panels of engravings, archaeological findings with the highest level of protection, were ignored in the assessment.
The site, officially recorded as PA 4, was reportedly damaged a second time by heavy machinery, even after being fenced off by the authorities.
Calls for Government Action
The environmental association argues that the statute of limitations has not yet expired, meaning sanctions can still be imposed. It has called on Miguel Ángel Clavijo, Director-General for Culture and Heritage, to reopen the sanctioning file, which lapsed when he assumed his position in the summer of 2023.
If the government fails to act, Salvar La Tejita has warned that it may pursue legal action against the institution, believing that allowing the case to lapse could constitute misconduct in favour of the construction company, which they claim is already under strong suspicion of criminal activity.
After more than two months without a response, Salvar La Tejita is demanding access to the full file on heritage reports concerning Cuna del Alma.
A Fight to Protect Tenerife’s Last Untouched Coastal Area
Environmental groups insist that justice must be served, ensuring that any crimes are punishable and that the ongoing construction work, causing what they describe as "irreversible damage", is halted.
They argue that the Cuna del Alma development is destroying the last unurbanised area of southwest Tenerife and are determined to prevent further environmental and cultural losses.
