Candelaria Court Ruling Offers Hope for Tenerife Coastal Pools

A recent court ruling allowing the Candelaria municipal swimming pool to remain open has sparked a political shift in Tenerife, offering new hope for similar coastal facilities in Los Silos. The court’s decision overturns a 2022 order that had sought to close the Candelaria pool due to its location on public coastal land, setting a significant legal precedent for other municipalities facing similar challenges.

The court’s argument centers on balancing environmental regulations with the public interest. The judges emphasized that coastal swimming pools provide essential health and social benefits to the community, which justifies their continued operation despite their location on protected land. The Los Silos City Council has already added this reasoning to its own ongoing legal case, which is currently before the same court following an appeal filed in June 2024.

For Los Silos Mayor Carmen Luz Baso, this development is a major boost to the local government’s legal strategy. While officials remain cautious, they are optimistic that the court’s focus on the social value of these facilities will help their own case. The town hopes for a final resolution by 2027, which would end the uncertainty surrounding the pool since it was forced to close in 2019 due to issues with its operating permit.

The Los Silos pool has been at the center of years of political and administrative instability. Since its closure, the facility has faced the threat of demolition and institutional gridlock, despite strong support from local residents. Most recently, in March, the Ministry for the Ecological Transition issued a report that led to the denial of a new operating concession.

This latest court ruling challenges the strict application of the Coastal Law, fueling a wider debate about whether local public services should take priority over rigid environmental protections. As Los Silos awaits its final verdict, the Candelaria decision stands as a promising milestone in the effort to reopen a facility that many consider vital to the town’s health and social well-being.