Opposition parties are demanding that the Balearic Government reverses plans under its land liberalisation policies that will permit the building of standalone houses in fire-risk zones.
Highlighting the wildfires that have ravaged parts of the mainland this summer, the Més spokesperson at the Council of Mallorca, Inès Perelló, says "it is inconceivable" that the government would allow homes in vulnerable areas. "Not only is the natural environment at risk, so also are people's lives."
"The Partido Popular are once again putting speculative interests before citizen safety and territorial protection." Perelló describes the regulatory change as "gravely irresponsible" and calls on the Council not to complying with it; the Council would have to amend the Mallorca Territorial Plan.
PSOE's Jaume Mateu Lladó says the government's permissiveness "crosses all red lines and puts the population at risk at a time of climate emergency, as we have all unfortunately seen this summer". "It is a huge mistake, puts people and property at risk and continues to encourage real-estate speculation and growth without even considering safety."
The left introduced a ban on building in fire-risk zones and in areas prone to flooding. The government had intended to at least partially lift the ban for the latter, but maintained it following the devastation in Valencia last October.