Palma Town Hall has ordered the cessation of all activities at the Plaça de Toros bullring. This is a temporary suspension of activities because of repeated violations reported by the police.
The closure isn't related to bullfighting, although bullfighting is covered because the suspension applies to all activities. There is normally only the one bullfight each year as it is. The violations have been of municipal noise ordinance. There have been numerous complaints from residents in recent years about the noise from concerts at the bullring. The number of concerts has increased this year. An electronica music festival held last Saturday was, says the residents association president Helena Herrera, the "final straw".
A statement from the town hall reads: "After various inspections, the Local Police's Green Patrol confirmed the violation of municipal regulations, issuing the corresponding reports and initiating the appropriate sanctioning procedures.
"The town hall has decreed the temporary suspension of all musical and recreational activities at the Coliseo Balear (the name of the bullring) until those responsible submit a complete acoustic study and this study receives a favourable report from municipal technicians. This measure will remain in effect until the necessary corrective measures are implemented."
A concert scheduled for December 20 will now not go ahead. Concerts for next summer have already been announced. For now, they are in some doubt.