Canary Islands High Court Halts Neptuno Hotel Demolition

The Canary Islands High Court has stopped the demolition of the old Neptuno hotel in Bajamar. The hotel was declared unsafe in 2019. This court ruling overturns an earlier decision, forcing La Laguna City Council to immediately stop the initial work that had already started at the site.

Officials from La Laguna City Council's Urban Planning Department explained that the High Court's decision came after the hotel owner appealed. The appeal was granted purely because of a technicality in the legal process. The court's ruling did not look at whether the demolition order itself was legal, if the council had the right to carry it out, or if there was a real need to knock the building down. This means that all work on the property must stop until a new, final court approval is given.

The Urban Planning Department stressed that the council has acted carefully and correctly, following all procedures and deadlines. They also said that the initial court approval for demolition was obtained legally. They want to make it clear that the current halt is not their fault and that they will continue to push for the demolition to go ahead as soon as they have the necessary legal permission.

Last October, the City Council awarded a 395,000 euro contract for the demolition. This project was meant to completely remove the main hotel building, along with other facilities like a swimming pool, a restaurant, and fifteen bungalows. While heavy machinery hadn't arrived yet, some early work, such as taking out windows and doors, had already begun.

This initial work had worried local residents. The Gran Poder de Bajamar Neighborhood Association had used social media to share residents' complaints about piles of wood and other materials. They highlighted safety and health risks, including the potential for pests and fire hazards.

Following the court's order, the City Council must stop all physical work and leave the site. The Urban Planning Department announced that instructions will be given to secure the property and its surroundings. This includes strengthening the fence around the area and taking other steps needed to ensure safety and prevent risks to people while the legal situation is sorted out.