The PP and Vox reject banning the construction of homes in risk areas

PalmThe Balearic Parliament on Tuesday rejected, thanks to votes against from the PP and Vox parties, a proposal from the left to prohibit the construction and authorization of housing in risk prevention areas, such as flood zones and areas at risk of fire, landslides, and erosion. The bill, promoted by the PSIB, Más per Mallorca, Más per Menorca, and Unidas Podemos, proposes limitations on construction in flood zones, prohibits the conversion of commercial premises into housing in these areas, and also prohibits new construction in priority traffic zones.

"There's no going back, which is what's happening in the Balearic Islands," argued PSIB deputy Mercedes Garrido, who criticized the right wing for failing to take measures to protect the population in this regard. According to Garrido, the government has reversed the protection policies of the previous legislature in favor of private interests. The socialist lamented that construction is now permitted in areas where the Executive's intention is to modulate flood risk, thus allowing construction in flood-prone zones once again.

MÁS deputy for Mallorca, Ferran Rosa, echoed this sentiment, emphasizing the increased risks due to climate change and the "insufficiency" of the measures. "Personal," she warned. Rosa demanded that "the protection of human lives be prioritized over the possibility of doing business." Josep Castells, from Más por Menorca, defended the regulation, stating that it proposes "serious" restrictions and measures to minimize risks. Castells also accused the Balearic Government of modifying construction regulations in flood-prone areas a year ago thanks to the Valencian Community (País Valencià) and not out of conviction. "The negotiators didn't say it really needed to be corrected; they were thinking about the media impact of not doing anything," he said, adding that limitations weren't applied to all the risk zones that the left had demanded.

From the far right, Vox deputy Patricia de las Heras flatly rejected the proposed law. "It is not only technically and legally deficient, but it would also cause serious social and economic harm to the Balearic Islands," she stated. According to De las Heras, problems like flooding have occurred "for centuries," when "nature runs its course unchecked, in accordance with the typical responses of each season." PP deputy Margalida Pocoví justified her party's position by arguing that the Decree of urgent measures for the protection of people and property in flood-prone areas already establishes "a rigorous, comprehensive, and sufficient framework" to guarantee the protection of people.