In February 2025, a car park serving Cala Agulla in Capdepera was closed. Unsurfaced, it had been used for some forty years. But this car park was in a protected area. In the face of pressure from environmentalists, the town hall was left with no option but to close it.
Cala Agulla isn't Cala Rajada, but it is generally considered to be part of the resort. It is a very popular beach, and one that currently doesn't have a car park to serve it. The town hall accepts that this will continue to be the case this summer, despite efforts to provide an alternative to the old car park.
In January 2023, the Balearic Parliament approved an amendment to the law on natural spaces so that authorisation could be given for a new car park to be created on rustic land. The town hall requested expropriation. The owner's challenge to this was eventually dismissed, and so in October last year the Balearic Government's ministry for the presidency - the competent body in this instance - was asked for authorisation for a forced expropriation.
At the most recent council meeting, Capdepera's mayor, Núria Garcia, said: "At this point in the season, I don't think we will have the authorisation for the urgent expropriation of the land where the future car park is planned. There is no willingness to resolve this issue."
There is a temporary barrier of sorts warning that there is no parking. On Saturday, a permanent barrier is due to be installed. The police have in the meantime been issuing fines for parking on the land. Once the barrier is ready, the town hall says drivers run the risk of a double fine - one for unauthorised parking and one for ignoring the barrier.