The municipality of Alcudia is not unique in Mallorca in having long-abandoned buildings that are seemingly just left to rot. But few can boast a hostel overlooking a beautiful bay - the Bay of Pollença in this case. A prime location for redevelopment, is it not?
This might appear to be so, but the Hostal Posada de Verano, Alcudia Town Hall points out, is 'out of planning', meaning that it not no longer meets current planning regulations. These regulations are such that the land is not zoned for residential or accommodation purposes. They also limit what can be done in terms of any redevelopment; it is limited to the ground floor.
Rather than redevelopment, the town hall wants to acquire the property in order to demolish it and create a green area. This intention was made clear more than eighteen months ago. For now, the town hall is no nearer carrying out its plan.
The sad story of the Posada de Verano is one of financial problems which ultimately led to the property being in the hands of the Spanish Government's so-called bad bank, Sareb. It was auctioned off and there was a buyer, reportedly a Mallorcan. Alcudia's mayor, Fina Linares, notes that the buyer would need to invest heavily in renovation. But as what?
Planning restrictions being as they are, the only future for the old hostel seems to lie with the town hall's demolition plan. This is on hold, "because the proposed price is prohibitive; there has been no initial agreement". "We will continue to wait and see if they lower their demands, as we haven't given up. We trust they will be willing to compromise," adds the mayor.