The Government of the Canary Islands has urged the Costas Authority to proceed with caution before the demolition of a historic home in Cueva de la Negra, Pájara, scheduled for 21 September. This plea follows the discovery of an archaeological site near the property.
In a letter to the Ministry for Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge, the government emphasised that any demolition must align with the protection of cultural heritage, a responsibility that lies with local authorities.
Eighty-year-old Pascuala Roger Pérez, the homeowner, has expressed her deep concern about losing her family’s home, which she claims has over a century of history and was part of a fishing community, as documented in historical records.
The small, single-storey property features thick stone walls and has served seasonal purposes tied to the coastal area. One of Pascuala’s daughters, Ana, stated, “This is the origin of Morro Jable.”
On 11 September, the Costas Authority notified the family of its intention to enter and declare the home unfit for use, as it lies within the public maritime-terrestrial domain established in 2005, which prohibits residential use.
This demolition notice comes shortly after the Cabildo of Fuerteventura suspended the demolition, originally scheduled for 26 August, to assess the building’s cultural and archaeological significance for inclusion in the island’s heritage inventory.
The Costas Authority, however, intends to move forward, citing a court order from 28 July 2026 that permitted the property’s demolition and restoration of the land to its original state.
The family feels pressured to leave and has taken turns staying at the house to prevent its abandonment. They have also requested the Cabildo to petition the court to enforce the suspension of the demolition order and extend it to prevent any potential sealing of the property.
They pointed out that on 24 June, the Senate passed a motion urging the state to halt any procedures that might infringe upon rights, including demolition, while the Coastal Law is under review.
Attempts to contact the Cabildo of Fuerteventura have gone unanswered. Jessica de León, a tourism councillor for the Canary Islands, urged Costas to “slow down, because a bulldozer destroys history.”
An archaeological site featuring an ancient shell midden, preserved in Pájara’s heritage inventory since 2007, is located near Pascuala’s home. This site offers insights into the diet and seasonal cycles of the indigenous populations of the Canary Islands.
The regional government has requested that any interventions near the archaeological site be approached with caution. While no explicit request to halt the demolition was made, they stressed the need for extreme care due to potential archaeological impacts associated with earth movements, material removal, and machinery use.
The regional heritage office has pointed out that any projects affecting cultural heritage must be approved by the Cabildo, which will determine necessary protective and remedial measures.
Despite the government’s assurances, the Roger Pérez family lamented that while officials speak of protecting heritage, they are seeing the demolitions proceed. They warned that the 21 September demolition could mark the end of a significant part of Cueva de la Negra’s history.
The family has also highlighted a perceived double standard in how small traditional constructions are treated compared to larger establishments along the coast, arguing that their heritage should not be disregarded.
They assert their demand is not for privileges but rather for the administration to utilise all legal means to safeguard their historical, ethnographic, and archaeological heritage.
“Canary Islands must not only preserve the economically productive coastline but also protect the memory of those who lived here before us,” concluded their statement.
