Spain environmental disputes: Hotel demolition ordered and new project challenged

The Junta de Andalucía has initiated legal proceedings to demolish the Algarrobico Hotel in Carboneras and restore the protected lands of the Cabo de Gata-Níjar Natural Park. The 20-story building, containing 411 rooms, was constructed on non-urbanizable land with special protection. Following the annulment of its construction license by the Carboneras City Council, the regional government aims to dismantle all associated infrastructure and return the terrain to its original state.

In a separate environmental dispute in Extremadura, the organization FONDENEX has filed objections against the El Espadañal luxury hotel project in Navalmoral de la Mata. The group, supported by experts in biology and forestry, argues that the development of 120 to 150 villas and a hotel would negatively impact the breeding and feeding grounds of protected bird species near the Monfragüe National Park. The objections challenge the project's Environmental Impact Study, citing significant inconsistencies regarding the protection of endangered species.