Orihuela Council has formally become the full owner of the land by signing the occupancy deed, having completed the expropriation procedure for the section of the Cabo Roig promenade that connects Calle Levante in the Cabo Roig residential area with the Aguamarina callisthenics park.
The “paperwork” has been finalised, but the reopening of the ground level path will require a slight delay. This is contingent upon the court’s sanction of the request for municipal assistance to complete the project. The walls and gates that have obstructed access at both extremities of the path since December 2021 continue to be in place.
The occupancy certificate was signed at the Orihuela Costa City Hall. The municipality emphasised that the Bellavista homeowners’ association, “the previous owner of the land,” did not send representatives to the ceremony.
Not only does the closure of this coastal passage prevent the enjoyment of the waterfront, which is defined as public property by the law, but it is also a pending issue for the local government. It also generates a substantial obstacle to pedestrian mobility. Inhabitants must travel on foot for over fifteen minutes due to a diversion between the two points. Additionally, numerous citizens use the promenade on a daily basis.
The highest level of prudence and accountability
The City Council, as the new owner of the land, has chosen to act with the utmost caution and responsibility, requesting judicial assistance to ensure that the opening is carried out with all legal guarantees and in an environment of absolute security for all parties. This decision was made in response to the community’s refusal to provide access. The Council had already arrived on site.
The Council did not initially anticipate that outcome. Six Local Police officers were dispatched by the municipality at the outset. Additionally, four Guardia Civil officers arrived to assert municipal authority during the occupation of the land. In addition, the Councillor for Heritage and Urban Planning, MatÃas Ruiz (PP), and the Councillor for the Coast, Manuel Mestre, as well as other public officials from the Orihuela Council, civil servants, and legal counsel, were present.
It is uncommon in open areas
Legal sources have indicated that judicial assistance is requested in these cases for private homes and premises. They also stated that the occupation of the land can be easily completed once the court-set price has been paid, provided that it is an open space and no one needs to be evicted, despite the objections of the former owners.
Since December 2021, this section has been closed as a result of a court judgement that acknowledged its private status. In 2013, a barricade was constructed by the community to prevent access. It was reopened by municipal decision between 2015 and 2021. Considering that the enclosing walls had been constructed without a licence and comprised a planning violation that could not be legally demolished, the reopening was ordered by the then-Councilor for Urban Planning, Antonio Zapata. The ruling supported the residents, as the municipal decision contravened administrative deadlines and procedures, and the land was not possessed by the municipality.
Submit the document in 2021
The expropriation procedure was initiated by the Council in December 2021, but it was delayed as a result of discrepancies in the economic valuation. The City Council estimated the value to be €9,113, while the owner claimed it was worth €3 million. The extent of the expropriated land is only approximately sixty linear metres.
In April 2025, the Provincial Expropriation Jury resolved the matter by establishing a fair price of 26,180 euros.
The cheque that the City Council had deposited in the General Deposit Box earlier this month was denied by the community on July 11th.
“The Council is unwavering in its dedication to the restoration of this avenue, and the actions will always be executed in compliance with the law, thereby guaranteeing the protection of residents and the defence of the public interest,” as stated by the same sources.
An additional €60,000 has been allocated to remodel the path for public use while ensuring the privacy of local residents once the path is reopened, provided that the City Council secures legal aid. The path is distinct from the remainder of the promenade in the vicinity. It is situated on the coastal cliff and is significantly narrower.
This summer… neither the Unidos por la Costa Association, which has been urging the Orihuela Council to reopen the path for years, questioned the municipality’s completion of the entire process and the subsequent halting of access to the promenade, despite already knowing legally that the owners would refuse to permit it.
The neighbourhood group’s spokesperson, Tomás Moreno, announced that the reopening is contingent upon a court order that could take several months to resolve. Consequently, the promenade’s continuation this summer will not be attained.
“They have embarrassed themselves.” Councillor MatÃas RuÃz pointed out that this judicial assistance was necessary, and the association had already enquired in a plenary session about the necessary steps to take if the proprietors refused to vacate the land. That occurred two months ago. We are perplexed as to why they are arriving at the site without this assistance and with the decision not to enter. The neighbourhood representative reiterated, “Why?”
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