The ordinary plenary session of the Calp City Council approved this Tuesday the suspension throughout the municipal area of the processing and granting of licenses to change the use of commercial premises to housing. This measure, which had the Popular Party voting against, aims to allow an exhaustive study of the housing situation in the municipality and seek appropriate solutions to the problem of habitability in Calp.
The councilor of urban planning, Juan Manuel del Pino, explained that the suspension of the change of use is motivated by the fact that "by removing premises intended for commercial activity from the market, the price of the premises increases and therefore weakens the commercial fabric, and at the same time, the aim is to avoid the dynamics of transform commercial premises, originally linked to public use, into tourist homes for private use.
According to the municipal government, many premises do not meet the minimum habitability conditions, and the lack of access to adequate housing has led to situations of overcrowding and irregular room rentals. The suspension of licenses will have a time limit of two years, during which viable solutions will be sought.
From the Popular Group, Francisco Fernández de Ibarra complained that with this measure "the right to property is violated and the use of housing is limited when it is very necessary," in addition to the fact that there is a "lack of participation in the initiative".
"It should not be all or nothing, not all premises can be converted into housing but others can, analyze the different areas, we must reflect on whether it is better to have a home on a ground floor or a closed commercial premises," added Fernández.
However, the spokesperson for the socialist group, Guillermo Sendra, defended that it is "a necessary measure" since "a serious problem such as the proliferation of tourist accommodation must be addressed."
"The suspension is a technical measure, we are being brave to recognize the problem and look for solutions," explained Sendra.
The debate was concluded by Compromís spokesperson, Ximo Perles, who concluded that this proposal "is not enough": "Housing aid has been called for the first time, a sectoral housing table has been created and today we bring this initiative, the city council He is doing what he can and more that will be done. There is no prohibition, there is a temporary suspension, so we ask citizens for patience while we study the problem," he commented.
For her part, the mayor of Calp, Ana Sala, indicated the intention to have a draft proposal in September or October. "We must balance the lack of residential housing and the excess of tourist housing and we do not have to wait two years," he explained.
Next Friday the first meeting of the newly created technical and political working commission will be held to study the housing situation in Calp, and different solutions will be analyzed within the municipal jurisdiction framework.
The Housing Commission will also involve the private sector to collect their recommendations and suggestions, with the aim that the final decisions are reached by consensus.
