Final approval for major residential project
The Alcobendas municipality has officially approved the detailed development plan for Valgrande—a large-scale residential district in the north of Madrid. After lengthy legal disputes and the resolution of technical issues related to environmental requirements, the project has received the green light from city authorities. Previously, its implementation was halted by a decision of the Tribunal Supremo, which identified violations regarding the creation of an artificial hill up to 22 meters high. Now, all concerns have been addressed and the plan can move forward.
Features of the new district and environmental initiatives
Valgrande is planned to include 8,600 residential units, with more than half designated as affordable housing. About 40% of the future homes will be built on municipal plots transferred to the city. The development includes over 50 measures aimed at environmental protection, expanding green spaces, and boosting energy efficiency. These include the installation of solar panels, LED lighting, charging stations for electric vehicles, and virtual batteries for municipal needs. The project also calls for a complete overhaul of the old M-616 road, which will be relocated underground.
As part of the area’s development, 570,000 square meters of new parks and open spaces will be created, accounting for 27% of the district’s total area. Two major parks are planned: one covering more than 200,000 square meters will be built near the Monte de Valdelatas natural area, and the second — a central park spanning 212,000 square meters along the arroyo de Valdelacasa. All trees affected by construction will be replaced, with the total number of trees set to grow to 6,700 — nearly triple the current amount.
Impact on the economy and urban infrastructure
The implementation of Valgrande will create more than 4,000 jobs during the construction phase and around 1,200 permanent positions once the project is completed. The economic benefit for the municipality is estimated at 511 million euros. New social infrastructure will be built in the area, and both public and entertainment facilities will be expanded. To ensure a smooth transition between the existing cityscape and natural zones, the height of new buildings will be reduced in stages.
In the coming months, registration of the land redistribution project between owners and the municipality is expected to be completed, along with approval of detailed landscaping and development plans. Construction is slated to begin soon, aiming to accelerate the development of northern Madrid and improve housing availability for local residents.
