A new tourist development is being proposed in the protected natural area of Sierra Escalona, Orihuela. The company Orishas Trust SLU is seeking authorization to build a large campsite featuring a swimming pool and various recreational facilities. The proposed site, spanning 336,600 square meters, is located alongside the CV-951 highway, about two kilometers from the Orihuela district of Torremendo. The area falls within a zone protected under the Natura 2000 network and is designated as a Special Protection Area for birds.
To proceed with the project, the developer has submitted a request for a Declaration of Community Interest (DIC), which would allow the use of non-developable rural land for tertiary or service-related purposes. This declaration, if approved, would remain valid for 30 years. The Official Gazette of the Valencian Government has initiated the process by opening the project to public comment for a period of 20 business days, allowing stakeholders to submit any objections or feedback.
The proposed campsite includes the construction of 86 single-story cabins, each measuring approximately 42 square meters. These would be spread across an area of 10,234 square meters. In addition to the cabins, there would be camping areas covering 23,743 square meters, designed to accommodate up to 261 pitches for tents, caravans, or motorhomes. These zones would be arranged throughout the site to separate different camping experiences.
The main entrance area of the campsite would include a reception building of 150 square meters, a restaurant spanning 800 square meters, and a 300-square-meter supermarket. Altogether, these facilities would amount to 1,250 square meters of constructed space. A significant portion of the site, approximately 12,160 square meters, would be dedicated to swimming and sports activities. This area would feature a swimming pool with a water surface of 1,800 square meters, along with two sports courts, three paddle tennis courts, one tennis court, a gymnasium, changing rooms, and a bar.
The remainder of the site would include green spaces, a children’s playground, service buildings, sanitary facilities, and an internal road network to connect the various sections of the campsite. The total estimated investment for the development is over 8.1 million euros. Based on this budget, the required land use fee has been calculated at 163,734 euros, representing 2 percent of the total cost.
In support of the project, the company argues that such tourism facilities are consistent with the traditional uses of rural land. It also contends that locating the campsite in a less developed inland area helps relieve environmental, social, and tourist pressure on the coastal zones. The proposal now awaits further administrative review and public input before a decision can be made on whether the development can move forward within this sensitive natural environment.
