Arona Approves Record Housing Permits, Clears Backlog

Arona's local government announced this week that its Governing Board has approved eight major building permits for 113 homes, calling it a "record number." This brings the total to over 200 homes that have been cleared for renovation, refurbishment, or new construction in the last two months.

Among the approved projects are improvements to two buildings in Cabo Blanco, which include 68 apartments. Other plans involve building a property with 30 homes in Cho-Parque de La Reina, and another dozen homes in Cabo Blanco, a project that also involves transferring public land. Four townhouses in Montaña Chica (Los Cristianos) were also approved, along with several single-family homes and other facilities on agricultural land. Additionally, a project on Avenida Suecia in Los Cristianos received approval for ten studios, commercial units, and professional spaces.

The current governing group claims that the Urban Planning department they inherited was "especially serious." They blame the previous councilor's lack of management and drive, combined with neglect from the PSOE in its earlier term, for a large backlog of applications and an almost complete halt in permit approvals. The team, led by Fátima Lemes, points to "clear evidence" that in just the third month of the new councilor Javier Baute's term, five permits were issued—the same number as in the previous five years. This, they say, highlights how stuck the municipality had been and the effort made to restore normal administrative operations.

Arona's Mayor, Fátima Lemes, emphasized, "We are working to ensure our municipality progresses at the pace our residents demand, encouraging new housing, private investment, and economic activity in the sector." The mayor noted that speeding up urban planning procedures not only fast-tracks applications but also ensures legal certainty, creates more opportunities, and leads to responsible planning for the area. "We are building a more accessible Arona, ready to meet the real needs of its people," she added.

Javier Baute, the Urban Planning Councilor, stated that his department's work focuses on "establishing order, implementing good coordination, and consistent daily effort." He praised the department's staff, explaining that this package of over 120 homes shows that "the change is already visible." He added, "Our goal is to continue reducing processing times, attracting investment, and offering clear, practical urban planning that aligns with the municipality's social and economic reality."

The councilor stressed that these advancements are "not isolated incidents but part of a continuous strategy to reactivate land, promote responsible construction, and expand the housing options in different areas of Arona."

Beyond housing, the local Governing Board also approved studies, commercial premises, sports projects like four paddle tennis courts, and the division of audited land plots. The government concluded that "Arona City Council continues to advance in boosting residential development in the municipality."