Ourense begins demolition of historic Casa de Baños de Outeiro

The Ourense City Council has begun the demolition of the historic Casa de Baños de Outeiro, a move that has drawn criticism from the BNG political group and raised questions regarding legal and procedural compliance.

Critics argue the demolition violates the General Municipal Urban Development Plan (PXOM), which requires a rehabilitation project for cataloged buildings before any demolition can occur. The BNG claims that the Municipal Technical Commission for the Protection of Cultural Assets was not convened to review the intervention. Furthermore, the party disputes the council's justification of the work as an emergency measure, noting that no intervention had taken place since a fire damaged the interior on May 15.

The demolition also appears to contradict the council's own Rexurbe Area Revitalization Plan, a document recently submitted to the regional government that specifically includes the rehabilitation of existing buildings in the historic center, including this site. While the local government cites safety concerns following the fire, it has maintained silence regarding the specific technical licenses and legal frameworks authorizing the current works.