San Fulgencio City Council is fast-tracking an urban development plan in a flood-prone area near the Segura River’s mouth, even as it approves an anti-flood plan for the urban area. This project highlights contradictions within the administration regarding building in flood zones.
The UE-7 “Las Pesqueras” sector, located on the flood-affected left bank, is already under development. Classified as a flood hazard zone 2 by PATRICOVA, this area was completely flooded during the 2019 DANA. Friends of the Southern Alicante Wetlands (AHSA) have twice appealed against the project, considering it inadvisable in the context of climate change and increasing aggressive DANAs.
Environmentalists argue that it is the administration’s duty to prevent exposing residents to flood risks. They are surprised that the council promotes a flood-protection project for the town while developing a housing complex on flood-prone land. They label the proposal as “incongruous and unsustainable,” noting the sector’s location at a natural water outlet.
In July, AHSA presented objections against the Integrated Action Programme (PAI) and urbanization project, with previous objections made in April 2023. The project aims to consolidate over 6 hectares adjacent to Natura 2000 protected areas.
The sector also forms part of the regionally significant landscape of Huerta de la Vega Baja del Segura and was traditional agricultural land until recent urbanization. The land is affected by livestock routes, impacting already built homes.
Environmentalists demand the PAI and development project be halted due to the significant flood risk and negative impacts on protected natural areas. They suggest declassifying the land to return it to non-developable status.
The project, semi-consolidated on more than 67,000 square meters, was introduced by the previous PSOE government.
