Residents confront Cort over the change of benches in Villalonga square

PalmThe Llotja-Born Neighborhood Association has "categorically" denied any effective participation or consensus with the Palma City Council regarding the project for the restoration of trees in Llorenç Villalonga square.

In a statement, the entity assures that it has conveyed its position "on repeated occasions": that the 26 bellaombres felled between 2024 and 2025 be replaced by specimens of the same species, with the aim of preserving the historical configuration of the space.

According to the association, these trees have been part of the square for approximately 80 years and constitute a key element from both an aesthetic and functional point of view. In this regard, they argue that it is an evergreen species that provides shade throughout the year and contributes to maintaining "the sobriety and identity" of the square.

Despite these demands, residents denounce that the council has not taken them into account. The City Council has argued that the bellaombres are not suitable for this location, which has led to the presentation of an alternative project that, according to the entity, "completely departs" from the residents' proposal.

The association also regrets that its request for more dialogue or to postpone the planting of the new trees to study more consensual alternatives has not been heeded. "There has been neither effective participation nor consensus," they insist.

The group expresses its displeasure over a decision that it considers directly affects the environment and daily life of the neighborhood, and calls for the voice of the residents to be taken into account in urban development projects of this type.

The controversy over the bellaombres in Villalonga square is part of a broader debate about the transformation of public space in Palma and the role of citizen participation in municipal decision-making.