Residents of Orihuela Costa are growing increasingly concerned about the abandoned houses on Calle Nutria in Las Chismosas. The situation has been exacerbated by the tragic death of a 15-year-old girl, allegedly murdered by her ex-partner.
These abandoned buildings have become a haven for groups of young people, who use them as a meeting point for socialising and, allegedly, drug use and dealing. Local police have reported an increase in criminal activity involving minors in the area.
The residential complex, privately owned and neglected for over a decade, is in a state of disrepair. Despite previous attempts to secure the property, it remains accessible. The Cadastre, surprisingly, doesn’t even recognize the existence of these buildings.
The Orihuela Council has acknowledged the issue and has taken steps to address it. In 2013, they ordered the owner to secure the property, but no action was taken. More recently, in 2024, the council initiated a subsidiary execution procedure to partition the buildings. However, the process is ongoing, and the council may need to resort to legal action to evict any potential occupants.
However, what this will actually achieve with regard to the socialising of youths in the area is questionable as they will simply move on to another similar location where their activities will continue.
Nevertheless, residents are urging the authorities to expedite the process and take decisive action to prevent further incidents and safeguard the community.
