Plans for a new housing development in the flood-risk area of the Nacimiento River in Orihuela Costa have ignited a fierce debate. A developer proposes to build 64 semi-detached homes in the Y-1 sector. But environmentalists argue that the area’s vulnerability to severe flooding makes the project a “reckless” endeavor.
The local environmental association Amigos de Sierra Escalona (ASE) has vowed to file formal objections against the project. The organisation emphasises the risks highlighted by the region’s flood-risk map (Patricova). According to ASE’s president, Miguel Ángel Pavón, 5,000 square metres of the planned site lie within zones classified as geomorphologically hazardous, potentially affecting 30 of the proposed homes.
Flood risk and urban planning under scrutiny
The Y-1 sector’s location near the Nacimiento River has been flagged as a major concern. Namely, portions of the land fall under the highest flood risk category defined by Patricova. Pavón criticised the decision to green-light the project. Furthermore, he warned that a torrential rainstorm similar to the recent DANA in Valencia could inundate the entire area.
“We’re calling for the land to be reclassified as non-developable,” Pavón stated. ASE also pointed out the proximity of the project to protected natural areas. These include the Sierra Escalona y Dehesa de Campoamor Site of Community Importance (SCI). The group argues that allowing further construction could disrupt fragile ecosystems and exacerbate environmental challenges.
Developers promise sustainability measures
The Montepiedra Group, the developer behind the project, has defended the proposal. Moreover, the group claims it incorporates sustainable planning practices. The updated plan includes a 20-metre buffer zone from the riverbank, a pedestrian pathway integrated into green spaces, and measures to mitigate environmental impact, such as planting 500 endangered jarilla cabeza de gato shrubs.
According to Montepiedra, consolidating the development into a single plot reduces the project’s overall environmental footprint. They argue that without these changes, some homes would have been even closer to the river’s edge, increasing flood risks.
Broader implications for urban expansion
The debate around the Y-1 sector is emblematic of broader tensions between urban expansion and environmental preservation in coastal areas. Orihuela’s Urban Planning Office has been involved in multiple amendments to the Y-1 sector plan since its approval in 2003. The latest proposal affects just 4.36% of the sector’s total 414,576 square metres but has sparked significant opposition.
Critics also point to potential conflicts of interest in the planning process. The hydrological study used to justify the project was authored by Matías Ruiz, now the local councillor for urbanism. Ruiz has since recused himself from decisions related to the project, delegating approvals to Orihuela’s mayor, Pepe Vegara.
Call for sustainable development
As Orihuela Costa faces increasing pressure to balance development with environmental conservation, the ASE insists that protecting the area’s natural heritage should take precedence over profit-driven urbanisation. “True sustainability lies in preserving the land, not exploiting it,” Pavón asserted.
The public consultation period for the project is ongoing, with ASE rallying for broader support to halt construction in what they describe as an already overburdened region. The final decision will determine not just the fate of the Y-1 sector, but the future direction of development in Orihuela Costa.
Coastal legislation highlights broader regional challenges
This debate mirrors broader tensions seen in Valencia, where the regional government recently introduced a new coastal law to simplify buildingregulations in environmentally sensitive areas. The Partido Popular (PP) and Vox coalition are promoting this law which significantly reduces the minimum distance from the coastline where construction is allowed, shrinking it from 500 to 200 metres.
This change has opened up 1,137 hectares of previously restricted land for development, much of it in flood-prone zones. Critics argue that this legislation prioritises short-term economic gains over long-term environmental protections. This is especially remarkable in the wake of recent extreme weather events. Ultimately, the Orihuela Costa project’s outcome could set a precedent for future urban planning in flood-prone regions, reflecting the broader challenges of balancing development and sustainability in coastal Spain.