Canary Islands Government Denies Permit for Los Silos Swimming Pool

The future of the Los Silos municipal swimming pool is once again in doubt after the Canary Islands government denied a new operating permit. The decision follows a mandatory, binding report from the Ministry for the Ecological Transition, which effectively blocks the council’s request.

This ruling highlights ongoing friction over coastal management following the transfer of powers in 2023. Mayor Carmen Luz Baso Lorenzo has criticized the Ministry’s stance, noting that it relies on the same legal arguments used to reject a previous application in 2022—specifically, a policy that prioritizes moving infrastructure away from the coastline. The mayor is now urging the regional government to defend the municipality’s interests in court, arguing that they should make better use of their newly acquired authority.

The process has been plagued by delays. Although the council submitted its application in August 2024, the state report did not reach local officials until March 18, 2025. The council now has just ten business days to file an appeal.

This latest setback is part of a long-running crisis that began in 2018, when an administrative error caused the original permit to expire. Since then, the pool has become a focal point of political and social tension, with residents frequently protesting to demand its reopening. The mayor has confirmed that if the regional government’s decision stands, the City Council will take legal action, continuing the same strategy used two years ago.