Tenerife Authorities Launch Crackdown on Illegal Coastal Settlements in Adeje
Tenerife’s Adeje local government is coordinating with regional authorities to dismantle illegal coastal settlements that have evolved into unauthorized rental markets and pose significant environmental and health risks.
The Tenerife local government is launching a coordinated effort with regional authorities and security forces to clear out illegal settlements along the Adeje coastline. According to the City Council, what began as occasional camping has turned into an illicit rental market, including unauthorized vacation properties in areas like El Puertito, La Caleta, El Valito, Llano Negro, and Las Moreras.
Mercedes Vargas, the Councilor for Security, met with the Canary Islands Agency for the Protection of the Natural Environment (APMUN) to address the situation. Officials warn that this is more than just a zoning issue; the buildup of trash and sewage has created serious health and environmental risks, requiring a swift and legal response.
While the City Council is responsible for managing these areas, the regional environmental agency retains the power to issue fines and order the restoration of damaged land. The agency is now helping the Council take legal action against landowners who have failed to manage waste properly, particularly in protected coastal zones.
Local officials, led by the Urban Planning and Community Welfare departments, noted that most of the people living in these settlements are not there due to extreme poverty. Instead, many are using these sites as second homes or for alternative lifestyles. Manuel Luis Méndez, head of Urban Planning, pointed to the successful clearing of the Diego Hernández area as a model, where prior notice and mediation allowed for a peaceful eviction. Raquel Rodríguez, the Councilor for Social Cohesion, confirmed that municipal services have identified the occupants and determined that only a small number will need social assistance.
The government plans to handle the evictions by opening individual legal files for each property, ensuring every action follows the Land Law. By working closely with regional authorities, the City Council aims to quickly identify offenders and regain control over the municipality’s protected rural land.