The proposed construction of a large facility for cleaning equipment in the very center of the Montecarmelo residential area has become one of the most contentious issues for Madrid residents. The city authorities’ decision to move forward with the project, despite protests and legal challenges, sparked a wave of outrage among locals and parents of schoolchildren. The situation gained particular significance after a court agreed to review the lawsuit filed against city hall. For many, this has become a chance to halt changes that they believe could irreversibly affect the quality of life in the neighborhood.
According to plans by city hall, the site will occupy an area equivalent to one and a half football fields, located in close proximity to schools, kindergartens, and residential buildings. Representatives of the ‘No al Cantón’ initiative claim that the authorities are employing a ‘scorched earth’ strategy, speeding up all procedures to make the project irreversible, even if the court rules against them. In response, city officials state that the facility will not be used for storing hazardous waste or incinerating garbage, but solely to serve the needs of municipal workers.
Legal Battles
However, the assurances of the officials did not convince either the residents or the educational institutions. The German school, located just 60 meters from the future construction site, has already won a lawsuit against the city hall. The court recognized that the facility has the characteristics of an industrial enterprise and requires a mandatory environmental assessment, which the city authorities failed to conduct. Despite this, the city hall has filed an appeal and continues work on the site, claiming that the facility’s activities are not industrial, although the official documents previously stated otherwise.
The new lawsuit currently being considered by the court places particular emphasis on the municipal decree that designates the location of the facility and approves the project. Residents accuse the city hall of lacking legal grounds for such a decision and of ignoring judicial procedures, as the city did not wait for the final verdict in the previous case.
Risks for children
Particular concern is raised by the proximity of the site to educational institutions. Within a few hundred meters of the construction are schools, kindergartens, and institutes attended by about 4,500 children. Parents and teachers fear not only a deterioration in the environmental situation, but also a rise in transportation risks: according to the project, 117 cleaning vehicles are expected to enter the area daily, 80 of which are heavy-duty machines. Activists believe this could lead to more traffic accidents and pose a threat to children, who cross the roads every day on their way to school.
In October last year, associations of parents from three schools simultaneously appealed to regional authorities for intervention. They point to serious social tension provoked not only by health and safety risks for children, but also by potential issues such as noise, unpleasant odors, and intensive movement of heavy transport.
Public opinion
A survey initiated by residents revealed near-unanimous rejection of the project: 94% of respondents consider the chosen location extremely unsuitable, and 90% are convinced that the appearance of the facility will have a negative impact on the entire district. Representatives of the initiative group emphasize this is not just about inconvenience, but a real threat to the health and well-being of 20,000 residents of Montecarmelo.
At the same time, the city hall insists on the need to implement the project, claiming that it poses no danger to the public. However, contradictions in official documents and court rulings already handed down against the city only fuel distrust and intensify protests.
Unexpected twists
The situation surrounding the construction of a cleaning equipment facility in Montecarmelo has become an example of how urban projects can spark major conflicts even in prosperous neighborhoods. The lawsuit initiated by local residents could set a precedent for other districts in Madrid and across Spain. For now, thousands of families continue to fight for their right to a safe and comfortable environment, while the fate of the disputed facility remains uncertain.
