Alicante’s Les Naus public‑housing scandal stalls purchase and fuels political clash

The Alicante city council has refused to exercise its right of first refusal on the protected‑housing units of the Les Naus development, overturning a promise made by mayor Luis Barcala in February to prevent speculation. Urbanism councillor Antonio Peral cited technical reports and the high price of the units (about €250,000 each) as reasons for the decision, leaving more than 800 families on the waiting list without new public housing.

Following the municipal reversal, the Valencian regional government (the Generalitat) is now assessing whether to invoke the same right of first refusal to acquire the units. The move has been demanded by opposition parties, including the PSPV‑PSOE, which urged the Generalitat to act to protect public housing from private investors.

In parallel, other Spanish cities face housing‑related regulatory battles. In Barcelona, ERC leader Elisenda Alamany called on mayor Jaume Collboni to increase inspections after a micro‑apartment of 11 m² was advertised for €85,000, highlighting concerns over illegal “infraviviendas.” In Asturias, a new regional decree has sharply limited the registration of tourist apartments in Avilés, allowing only four new units this year, as part of stricter quality standards for short‑term rentals. Meanwhile, the Asturias housing authority announced inspections and planned upgrades for public housing blocks in La Corredoria.

These developments illustrate a broader Spanish debate over housing affordability, regulatory enforcement, and the political stakes of public‑housing policy.