The Andalusian Advisory Council has ruled that the 2003 building license for the El Algarrobico hotel is null and void. The opinion clears the way for its demolition after two decades of legal battles.
The opinion, dated May 21, concludes that the license granted by the Carboneras Town Council authorized construction on protected non-urbanizable land and affected the coastal easement. The advisory body now returns the file to the council so it can formally annul the permit within 15 days.
The Andalusian regional government has urged the town council to bring the matter to a full plenary session as soon as possible. Rocío Díaz, acting regional minister, described the opinion as “the last major administrative step” remaining before moving toward demolition and restoration of the site.
Greenpeace welcomed the ruling. Eva Saldaña, executive director of Greenpeace Spain, said the decision marks “the end of impunity on our coasts”. Luis Berraquero, coordinator in Andalusia, stated that “it is time for the machines to move in”.
The central government has requested an immediate meeting of the monitoring commission under its agreement with the regional government to address the demolition. Government delegate in Andalusia Pedro Fernández noted that the goal is to carry out “a judicial mandate”.
