Tenerife: Developers complain of "administrative paralysis" in issuing permits.
Builders in Tenerife accuse local authorities of delays in issuing building permits, which is hindering the development of the industry and leading to rising housing prices.
Builders are sounding the alarm: they say that local authorities are taking too long to issue building permits. The Federation of Construction Organizations of Tenerife (Fepeco) states that this is causing construction to stall, developers to be in despair, projects to become more expensive, and housing prices to rise. And, of course, it is slowing down the creation of new jobs.
Óscar Izquierdo, head of Fepeco, accuses mayors of not using the law that should speed up the issuance of permits. This law, published last year, was supposed to simplify the procedure and reduce the waiting time for a permit to six months. But, according to Izquierdo, some municipalities are delaying permits for large projects for up to four years!
The law also provides for measures to stimulate the construction of affordable housing. For example, it is possible to change the purpose of land to build housing where shops or businesses were previously planned. It also simplifies the construction of social housing on private land, even if all the necessary infrastructure is not yet in place.
Izquierdo emphasizes that the main problem now is not the lack of construction companies or demand for housing, but the "administrative paralysis" that blocks the issuance of permits. He believes that mayors are responsible for these delays, which prevent thousands of families from obtaining housing.
He calls on mayors to ensure the efficient and transparent operation of urban planning departments. According to him, there are municipalities where building permits have been awaited for years. The reason is that cases are "gathering dust in drawers" or "hanging" in officials' computers, and there are also confusing rules and bureaucratic requirements.
The law in question was supposed to provide municipalities with more resources to work quickly without violating the legality of the procedure. The government of the Canary Islands assures that thanks to this law, developers will be able to obtain building permits in less than six months.
Izquierdo urges mayors not to make excuses for lack of money or the complexity of the laws. He believes that they should organize the work of their administrations, provide them with staff and simplify procedures. "To manage is to command," he emphasizes. According to him, every day of delay in issuing permits causes damage to the whole society.
He emphasizes that bureaucracy is hindering economic growth and preventing people from living normal lives. Therefore, it is necessary to demand efficiency from local authorities and the application of the law that speeds up the issuance of building permits.
According to data obtained by journalists, the municipalities of Adeje, La Matanza, Santa Cruz, La Laguna and El Rosario are meeting the deadlines for issuing permits.
Arafo, Los Realejos, La Victoria, San Miguel, La Guancha, Fasnia and Santiago del Teide are lagging behind somewhat. But Arico, Arona, Granadilla, Vilaflor, Candelaria, Güímar, Guía de Isora, Tegueste, Garachico, El Sauzal, El Tanque, Santa Úrsula, Los Silos, Tacoronte, Icod, Buenavista, Puerto de la Cruz and San Juan de la Rambla are not meeting the deadlines at all.