Icod de los Vinos Council Unites to Back Comprehensive San Marcos Beach Regeneration Plan
The Icod de los Vinos City Council has reached a unanimous agreement to reject an experimental regional proposal in favor of the central government's comprehensive plan to restore San Marcos beach.
The Icod de los Vinos City Council has reached a rare political consensus on the future of San Marcos beach. Following their latest plenary session, local officials have united to prioritize a comprehensive regeneration plan approved by the central government in January 2023, effectively rejecting an alternative experimental proposal from the Canary Islands’ Vice-Ministry of Infrastructure.
This unanimous decision aims to provide a clear direction for the General Directorate of the Coast and the Sea, which had asked the council to choose between two conflicting projects. The state’s plan focuses on long-term stability by adding over 40,000 cubic meters of sand to address the root causes of coastal erosion. In contrast, the regional proposal suggested dumping 22,500 cubic meters of volcanic ash without the necessary containment structures to keep the sediment in place.
The council’s support for Mayor Javier Sierra’s position is backed by an October 26 technical report. The document warns that the experimental test could be counterproductive, as the material would likely be washed away by the same coastal currents that have caused the beach to shrink for decades. Experts also noted that the smaller project could interfere with the larger, more permanent solution.
The debate, which lasted over 90 minutes, saw heated exchanges regarding the historical mismanagement of the area. Despite some initial disagreements, representatives from the PSOE, the PP, independent councilors, and the nationalist group eventually agreed that the town must avoid further delays and "experiments" that have stalled progress.
The meeting concluded with a statement from the local advocacy group, SOS Salvar la Playa de San Marcos, which criticized the council for years of inaction and lack of rigor. With this agreement now in place, the City Council is calling on regional and state authorities to respect the local consensus and move forward with the comprehensive plan to restore the beach.