The owners of the Formentor Hotel have been granted a licence to expand the premises.
The new project is covered by article 7 of Law 2/2020 on measures to boost economic activity, despite the fact that the Formentor urbanisation has not completed the provision of services required by urban planning legislation.
Mayor Tomeu Cifre signed the licence after receiving favourable technical reports and consulting with the supra-municipal bodies involved.
In September and October 2021, Cifre contacted the tourism planning department over doubts raised by the application of article 7 of Law 2/2020. The department refused to rule on urban consultations, but Urbanisme finally reported in favour of the promoter.
The works are costing more than 25.5 million euros and are expected to last three years.
"We hope that it will be carried out as soon as possible and that it will be a benchmark in the Mediterranean for the balance between economy and landscape," said Mayor Cifre.
The iconic Hotel Formentor was boughtr by a Canadian-based group in which Bill Gates is one of the chief shareholders.
The Four Seasons Group wants to build a new spa and health centre at the hotel which will be one of the finest on the island.
Four Seasons operates more than 100 hotels and resorts worldwide. Since 2006, Bill Gates (through Cascade Investment) and Prince Al-Waleed bin Talal have been majority owners of the company.