Pollença approves its first Heritage Catalogue after two decades of failed attempts

PollençaPollença has finally approved its Heritage Catalogue, a key tool for the protection and regulation of cultural assets, after more than two decades of unsuccessful attempts. The document, validated in the ordinary plenary session in February, puts an end to a long period of gridlock and places the municipality in line with the rest of Mallorca's towns, which have had this type of instrument, required by law, for years. The delay has been significant. As the architect who drafted the catalogue, Jaume Lluís Salas, explains, "The Balearic Islands' urban planning regulations state that all municipalities must have an approved Heritage Catalogue, and Pollença has a particular situation, since attempts to approve it have been made since 2005 and, until now, have not been successful." These difficulties have prevented the municipality from having a fundamental tool for regulating growth and protecting elements of historical, architectural, and landscape value. The new catalogue covers the entire municipality and includes diverse areas such as the town center of Pollença, Port de Pollença, Cala Sant Vicenç, and the Formentor area, thus incorporating a comprehensive view of the heritage that defines the municipality's identity. It is not just an inventory of buildings, but a regulatory document that establishes how these properties and their surroundings should be managed. Until now, Pollença was among the long list of municipalities that still fail to comply with the regulations that, for decades, have required the creation of a catalogue clearly defining the properties and elements that deserve protection. Often, according to heritage experts, private interests and the fear among local councils of generating controversy with certain building owners have prevented the catalogue from being approved. It is important to remember that when an element is catalogued, its owners cannot alter its most significant features, much less demolish the house or element in question.

In this regard, the Urban Planning Coordinator, Tomeu Antich, emphasizes the importance of the resource and states that "it is a tool for preserving the landscape, the unique character of the municipality, and the various elements with heritage value." This commitment to preservation translates into specific regulations that will directly affect urban development projects going forward. In fact, Antich stresses that "when issuing permits or carrying out any work, there will be a series of rules that must be respected," and he has made it clear that the catalog is not merely declarative, but will have practical consequences in the day-to-day life of the municipality. Any action on a listed property must adhere to the established criteria, with several levels of protection: comprehensive, partial, and environmental, which will determine the type of intervention permitted. One of the highlights of the document is the broadening of the concept of heritage. In addition to the unique buildings, the protected areas include ethnological elements such as terraces, traditional paths, and structures linked to agricultural activity, as well as specific landscapes that are part of Pollença's distinctive character. The protected areas are also regulated, with the aim of preserving not only the property itself, but also its surrounding context and views.

There will be monitoring mechanisms.

The catalogue also establishes control mechanisms and obligations for property owners, who will have to guarantee the good state of conservation of the buildings, in addition to the possible requirement of historical or archaeological studies for certain interventions. All of this includes a penalty system in case of non-compliance. With this approval, Pollença leaves behind a long period of uncertainty and equips itself, for the first time, with a comprehensive tool to manage its heritage. In a municipality where landscape and cultural identity are essential elements, the catalogue is presented as a key piece for finding the balance between conservation and development. The challenge, from now on, will be its application with sound judgment and consistency.