Arona is now able to issue building permits in El Mojón. The Town Council and the Compensation Board signed the partial receipt record today for the most significant plot of urban land in the Canary Islands, nearly one million square metres. Of this, 60% will be used for residential purposes, while the remaining 40% will be designated for tourism, commercial, and sports facilities. Approximately 9,000 beds are projected (split evenly between the two uses), and the direct investment is estimated at 2 billion euros, with indirect investment potentially reaching up to 8 billion euros. The Town Council is still pending the reception of two urban parks of 26,000 square metres each, which are subject to the completion of the environmental impact assessment.
Commissioned in 1985 and designed by the Palmera architect Rubens Henríquez (1925-2017), the partial plan El Mojón was approved by the then-Commission of Urbanism and Environment of the Canary Islands (Cumac) on 1 October 1996, with its urban development project approved in 1998. It includes the transfer of 332,900 square metres to the Arona Town Council for public infrastructure and services. Another 120,000 square metres are allocated for roads, parking, and pedestrian areas, significantly improving mobility and accessibility to Los Cristianos; 11,400 square metres will be dedicated to educational facilities, 15,900 square metres to public sports facilities, and 17,000 square metres for cultural equipment.
More Residential Land
The majority of the 60% of residential land in El Mojón is located in the northern area of the partial plan, specifically between the motorway and the Hospital del Sur. This area is widely distributed among Arona property owners who acquired plots over two decades ago in many cases.
A Process of Nearly 30 Years
Of the total area of the partial plan El Mojón, 332,900 square metres correspond to public land use, while 575,400 square metres are for private purposes, such as hotels, homes, commercial spaces, restaurants, cafes, gyms, etc.
The partial reception was formalised yesterday following an agreement between the Arona Town Council and the Compensation Board representing the property owners, fulfilling the Urban Agreement approved in 2024 along with subsequent technical and legal requirements.
Manuel Barrios was the mayor who initiated this process. He attended the signing of the reception in the council chamber, and Javier Baute, the councillor for Urbanism, referred to him. The councillor announced that the review of the building permit applications already submitted will commence, and they will proceed similarly with newly registered applications.
Licences for Three Hotels
“In a few months, we expect to see activity” in El Mojón, noted the Mayor Fátima Lemes yesterday, where licences have already been requested for the construction of three hotels. The mayor expressed feeling “fortunate“ to lead the municipal government that is concluding the process to release the land that will facilitate the municipality’s development, where no tourism constructions have taken place since the late 20th century in Los Cristianos. “We are no longer talking about promises, but about realities. With this reception, new opportunities are opening up to develop essential projects for the welfare of the citizens.”
The 972,000 square metres reserved for the expansion of Los Cristianos, situated between Avenida Chayofita and the Hospital del Sur –above the TF-1 motorway – will mark a significant turning point for Arona.
“This project is not designed for mass tourism, but to attract a type of visitor who contributes more to the local economy.”
“This project is not designed for mass tourism, but to attract a type of visitor who contributes more to the local economy,” expressed the President of the Compensation Board, Miguel Villarroya. “By offering higher quality services and experiences, we attract tourists who spend more in local shops, restaurants, and activities, boosting Arona’s economy without disproportionately increasing pressure on infrastructure,” added one of the major investors in the partial plan.
Pending Urban Parks
The exclusion of the large urban parks from the partial reception document signed just before 11 AM yesterday by Lemes and Villarroya has been essential for the unlocking of the project, as they are subject to the drafting of the environmental impact study currently underway. This measure was adopted in line with recommendations from municipal technicians. Once the Town Council receives them, the transfer of El Mojón to the Council will be completed, and the Compensation Board will become a Conservation Entity. It will be responsible for maintaining both spaces, which the Town Council will progressively take over.
