The ordinary plenary session scheduled for tomorrow will deal with the proposal to suspend the processing and granting of licences to change the use of commercial premises to residential use throughout the municipality. The proposal states that it is suspended to proceed with the study of the modification of urban planning.
The suspension of the change of use is motivated by the fact that the removal of commercial premises from the market increases the price of the premises and therefore weakens the commercial fabric, and at the same time, it is intended to avoid the dynamic of transforming commercial premises, originally linked to a public use, into tourist dwellings for private use. In addition, it has been considered that many premises do not meet the minimum conditions for decent housing and the lack of access to regular housing leads to situations of overcrowding and irregular renting of rooms. The proposal sets a time limit of two years for the suspension of licences.
This measure is in line with the municipal government's objective of seeking solutions and actions aimed at achieving the goal of affordable and decent housing. The first meeting of the recently created technical and political working commission for the study of the housing situation in Calp is scheduled for next Friday, to analyse the different solutions within the municipal framework.
According to the municipal government, it is urgent to study and regulate the implantation of new tourist dwellings, considering the influence that their proliferation has on the rest of the housing solutions. The aim is to promote a regulation of the sector that provides legal security but also regulates tourist accommodation and avoids illegal activities.
To this end, the working commission will study a modification of the uses permitted by the PGOU in those areas where it is decided to limit the implantation of more tourist housing. Likewise, the situation of tourist housing will have to be related to the other types of housing - habitual residence in property ownership or rental, free rental housing or public housing, public housing, etc.
However, the Housing Commission will involve the private sector in order to hear its recommendations and suggestions so that the decision that is finally adopted is as consensual as possible.
The mayoress, Ana Sala, pointed out that ‘we are trying to find a balance, we are pioneers in the way we approach solutions to a problem faced by many town councils, tourist rental is necessary but so is residential. In addition, an excess of housing in premises for which they were not conceived reduces the possibilities for the establishment of local commerce".