The fate of the Algarrobico hotel now depends on the Andalusian courts. The regional government and Greenpeace demand the annulment of its building license after a local council vote was postponed.
The long-running dispute over the demolition of the Algarrobico hotel in Carboneras has reached a new turning point, as the Junta de Andalucía and Greenpeace have formally asked the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de Andalucía (TSJA) to annul the building license for the controversial structure. This move comes after the Carboneras town council, with support from PSOE councillors, an ex-PP member, and a non-affiliated councillor, voted to delay a decision on the license's annulment until June 22.
The hotel, built on the Algarrobico beach within the Cabo de Gata Natural Park, has become a symbol of coastal urban speculation in Spain. The council was expected to comply with a 2021 TSJA ruling by revoking the license granted in 2003. However, a proposal from non-affiliated councillor Felipe Cayuela to postpone the vote was approved by a narrow margin—seven in favor, five against—effectively stalling the process once again.
Greenpeace, frustrated by repeated delays, has urged the TSJA to intervene directly and declare the license null and void, arguing that this would accelerate the demolition process by several years. The Junta de Andalucía quickly joined this request, stating that a court-led annulment would be the fastest and most effective solution. According to Greenpeace's legal representative, if the TSJA acts, only an appeal to the Supreme Court would remain, likely shortening the legal battle compared to a council-led process, which could drag on for years due to multiple appeals.
The council's decision to postpone has triggered internal conflict within the PSOE. The party's regional leadership, led by María Jesús Montero, had previously advocated for forced expropriation as a way to demolish the hotel, promising to complete the process within five months. However, legal challenges from the developer, Azata del Sol, have stalled this approach. In response to the latest delay, the PSOE's provincial secretary announced disciplinary proceedings against the five socialist councillors who supported the postponement.
The regional government, led by Juan Manuel Moreno, has criticized the PSOE for what it describes as obstruction and inconsistency, highlighting the party's role in both granting the original license and now hindering its annulment. The Junta's spokesperson, Carolina España, questioned the motives behind the PSOE's actions and announced the convening of a joint government commission to demand explanations and accountability from the socialists. The regional administration is also examining possible legal consequences for the councillors involved in the postponement.
Contextually, the Algarrobico case has become one of Spain's most prominent environmental and legal controversies. The hotel, never opened to the public, stands as a visible reminder of the challenges in enforcing environmental protection laws against powerful development interests. Multiple court rulings have found the building permit invalid, and the National Court has repeatedly stated that the developer is not entitled to compensation. The outcome of the current legal maneuvering will likely set a precedent for similar cases across Spain, where local, regional, and national authorities often clash over land use and environmental policy.
