The political party Contigo La Palma has firmly opposed what it calls the “outdated development model” being promoted by the three parties currently represented in the Cabildo de La Palma: Coalición Canaria (CC), Partido Popular (PP), and PSOE. The group argues that recent developments, such as the planning of the Singular Tourist Planning Instrument (IPST) for Puerto Naos and changes regarding the road variant between El Remo and La Zamora, reflect a predatory approach to development that ignores local realities.
Contigo La Palma claims that the recent 2023 tourist development pact, supported unanimously by CC, PP, and PSOE, represents a clear strategy to benefit a select few at the expense of local heritage. They argue that this agreement lowers environmental and legal barriers, allowing for unchecked urban development that jeopardises the island’s landscape and agricultural land.
The party highlights that the proposed IPST for Puerto Naos and Charco Verde plans to create over 2,100 new tourist beds along Los Llanos de Aridane’s coastline, warning that this dense construction threatens to erase the area’s coastal identity. They also see a direct connection between this development and the controversial El Remo-La Zamora road variant, which, at an estimated cost of nearly 350 million euros, they believe is primarily designed to facilitate large-scale hotel projects rather than meet local needs.
According to Contigo La Palma, the official justification for the road enhancements, which is to improve access to El Remo, does not hold up under scrutiny. They assert that alternative, less intrusive solutions exist. The party emphasizes that both the IPST and the road variant align with a vision to transform the island’s southern coast into a traditional tourist corridor, reminiscent of models that have already overwhelmed areas like Tenerife and Gran Canaria.
Contigo La Palma criticizes the three major parties for excluding the public from the conversation about the future of tourism on the island, noting that discussions are focused solely on technical and infrastructural issues rather than the broader implications of the development model being proposed. They contend that this model fails to address the needs and desires of the local population, who generally reject such extensive development.
The party contrasts the outdated “cement politics” with a modern, sustainable alternative that respects the island’s environment and cultural heritage. They argue that the imposed strategy offers no social or economic success and has already demonstrated its shortcomings elsewhere in the archipelago.
Calling for a more balanced approach, Contigo La Palma advocates for responsible tourism that preserves resources and equally distributes benefits among locals. They signal a clear need for public dialogue and participation in decision-making to ensure that La Palma develops in a sustainable manner, prioritising the needs of its year-round residents over the interests of external investors.
