Arona is not only celebrating the partial unblocking of the El Mojón Partial Plan, but it is also on the verge of resolving another long-standing urban development conflict concerning the licence for nearly a thousand homes in Cho. This was announced yesterday by Javier Baute, the Councillor for Urban Development at the local council, on Onda Tenerife.
Progress on Housing Development
“We will soon hold another press conference here when the nearly thousand homes in Cho-Parque La Reina, aimed at the Canarian worker demographic, are approved,” the councillor revealed.
“Our working method is very clear, especially regarding macro cases, not day-to-day licence applications. The Cho-Parque La Reina application is the next one to be released, as we have been immersed in it for a long time, working on it day by day. We are collaborating closely with the private sector, which has been tremendously supportive, and I can tell you that we will meet here again soon for another press conference, as this is my next goal. Today, we have approved a tourist-residential sector (referring to the Monday press conference regarding El Mojón), but with Cho-Parque La Reina, we are set to approve almost 1,000 homes aimed at a local audience. This area will include supermarkets, services, and will be well connected to the motorway. We aim to process this application as quickly as possible,” Baute asserted.
Building Trust and Collaboration
When asked about his management as head of the Urban Development Department, following his appointment in place of Luis García (Más por Arona), Javier Baute explained that his first action upon taking office was to gather the entire technical team. “I did this on my first day, and I wouldn’t recommend it too highly,” he joked. “This isn’t about imposing an idea, but about building a team and fostering real collaboration between politicians and technicians. This is what enables us to achieve results.”
The councillor acknowledged that some mistrust exists within the council, “deep-rooted due to everything surrounding the Arona case,” but emphasised that the new team comes without the burdens of the past. “We are new people, without baggage. Everything we do will be within the bounds of the law,” he pointed out.
He insisted that the unacceptable aspect is failing to provide information: “You might issue a negative report, and a judge could overturn that objection, but the incomprehensible part is not conveying information. This is what we have communicated to the technicians: inform us, whatever the context, but make sure to inform us,” concluded Baute, who has only been in charge of the municipal area for a few months.
