Arona Completes Long-Awaited Development Plan
The Arona Council, located in the south of Tenerife, has finalised the El Mojón Partial Plan after more than three decades of delays. The plan covers nearly one million square metres of expansion and foresees up to 8,900 residential and tourist beds, all characterised by “gentle construction” with low building intensity.
On Tuesday, Urban Planning Councillor Javier Baute stated to EFE that the project will adhere to these “gentle construction” principles, aimed at attracting a higher quality tourism experience. He pointed out that most of the parcels are privately owned; therefore, it is the owners’ responsibility to develop them according to the established planning.
This approach also aims to avoid an intensive and overcrowded model, with “building intensity well below what is permitted,” targeting a more discerning and higher-spending tourist profile, rather than the mass tourism model.
“We are at the starting point; we’ve just approved the reception of the partial plan. In six months, we could be issuing the first licenses for both hotels and commercial establishments,” Baute noted. He emphasised that the council has strengthened its technical staff by “over 20%” and will continue to do so as needed to manage the upcoming workload.
Baute highlighted that the land being received by the council consists of green areas, developed zones, and roadways, along with a total of three parcels for facilities. There is no possibility of constructing public housing, as there is no land of that ownership nor any such zoning in the plan.
Future City Profile
Regarding the profile of the future city, Baute recalled that it was defined over three decades ago, combining residential and tourist use. He stated that there are other areas in the municipality more suited for housing for local residents, such as the Cho-Parque La Reina area, which has plans for up to 1,000 homes for residents.
In this context, he specified that the parks and green spaces “are already completed and are pending reception in the coming months”, while educational, cultural, and sports facilities “are not planned for the short term.” However, he did not rule out the possibility of constructing an auditorium, for instance.
“This could be an attraction for the south of Tenerife—a large, competent auditorium where concerts can be held. We are still unsure about the format; we might grant the land to a public administration, such as the Government or Cabildo. But these are technical matters we have yet to address,” Baute illustrated.
When asked about the potential for an increase in population linked to the El Mojón development, Baute indicated that the Compensation Board, comprising the promoters, estimates a maximum of 8,900 residential and tourist beds, which would imply at least a similar number in resident population.
In terms of investment figures, the councillor estimated direct investment associated with the plan’s development to be around €2 billion, with indirect impacts that could reach up to €8 billion according to the promoters, who typically have “more optimistic” projections.
In any case, he expressed that this direct investment will be at least double, approximately €4 billion, he stated.
A Thirty-Year Wait
The El Mojón Special Plan was approved in 1996, with its urbanisation project in 1998; “but numerous technical, legal, and managerial difficulties have stalled its development for over 30 years,” noted the council on Tuesday.
With nearly one million square metres in total, the partial reception allows the municipality to receive the free transfer of 332,900 square metres of developed land for infrastructure and public services.
Of this, 120,000 square metres will be allocated to roads, parking, and pedestrian areas; 11,400 to educational facilities; 15,900 to public sports installations; and 17,000 to cultural equipment.
The council will also manage green spaces and areas for community use, which will allow for the “reorganisation of Los Cristianos and its surroundings, generating new areas of facilities and reinforcing sustainable mobility in Arona.”
Miguel Villarroya, the president of the El Mojón Compensation Board, deemed this a “giant step for the municipality after more than 30 years of stagnation.”
He also emphasised that the project is designed to attract visitors “who contribute more to the local economy” and that by investing in higher-quality services and experiences, they “spend more on shops, restaurants, and local activities, boosting Arona’s economy without disproportionately increasing pressure on infrastructure.”
Mayor Fátima Lemes highlighted that, regarding El Mojón, “we are no longer talking about promises, but realities,” and that Arona will have available land for public facilities “that have been long awaited.”
The council asserts that this initiative “will mark a new phase in the comprehensive transformation of the municipality, which has experienced constant demographic and tourist growth in recent decades.”
