Home Local Politics

Local Politics

Most popular

Local residents were aghast on Wednesday when a team of workmen from the Orihuela Ayuntamiento, turned up without any prior notification, and began to close the 100 metres of paseo linking Aguamarina with Cabo Roig. According to a council spokesman the paseo was closed following a sentence imposed by the Supreme Courts, ordering the gates closing it to all but residents of BellaVista Urbanisation, be reinstated, with a deadline of 15 December. The closure will now reintroduce a 3 kilometre diversion for any pedestrian wishing to walk from Aguamarina to Cabo Roig or beyond, many thousands of tourists and residents alike, particularly during the holiday periods. Despite being contacted by The Leader Newspaper, beyond the short 2 line statement stating that the walkway was being closed because of a judicial order, the council have failed to respond. The dispute between the residents of Bella Vista Urbanisation and the Ayuntamiento, relates to a 35 year battle over the Paseo de Cabo Roig, the 100 yard stretch of coastal walkway that runs along the front of the BellaVista Urbanisation, between Aguamarina La Caleta and Cabo Roig Beach. Having initially been declared illegal by both the Administrative Court in Elche and the High Court of Justice, the wall shutting off access was pulled down by municipal staff in March 2015. As he presided over the demolition, Antonio Zapata, Orihuela Councillor for Planning at the time, declared that opening the paseo was long overdue, but what he didn’t reckon on was the resolve of the Bellavista Residents Association. Led by Community President Brian Honess, Bellavista then went back to the courts where they proved to the Judge, Mr Salvador Bellmont Lorente, and to the courts, that the walkway directly along the seawall and in front of the urbanisation has always been private land, and they were completely within their rights to section it off from access to the general public. They argued that the original walkway was actually located at the bottom of the cliff face and not along the top of the urbanisation, as stated by Zapata. The judge had no hesitation in finding with the Residents and he immediately ordered that the wall sealing off the paseo be reinstated. Although the Orihuela Council then had 15 days to appeal, the judgement papers festered in a council drawer, and it seems as though the deadline was allowed to pass with no one in authority being briefed as to the court decision. Former PSOE Councillor, Zapata, said that “the incompetence, neglect and lack of management by Councillors Almagro and Alvarez meant that at the time the council had lost the right to appeal to the Supreme Court.” He added that he still felt “there were more than sufficient arguments as the pathway fell within the protection of the coastal authority.” Cllr Almagro subsequently issued a press release stating he felt that opening the walkway between Aguamarina and Cabo Roig had been a huge mistake. He further clarified that following the Appeal Court Decision, discussions were held between the Provincial Directorate of Coasts and the solicitor who brought the case, Pau Agulló, to assess the judgment following which it was felt that yet another appeal would just add more expense for the city with there being little likelihood of the judgement being overturned. But of course the question now is where do we go from here? With the wall reinstated and Orihuela councillors shifting the blame wherever they can it seems that once again the elected representatives are failing to serve the public interest of those that they represent and the jewel that was once Cabo Roig is now just a murky piece of stained glass!

Judicial Sentence orders closure of Paseo de Cabo Roig

Kevin Reardon - 15/12/2021

Prior to the reopening of the Cabo Roig Walkway the council must first secure judicial authorisation to avoid the mistakes of the past and prevent future litigation.

Cabo Roig Walkway Reopening Confirmed After €3 Million Land Dispute Settled for Just €26,000

Torrevieja to construct eighteen tower blocks of 29 floors

Torrevieja to construct eighteen tower blocks of up to 29 floors

The market next to the N-332 in Guardamar del Segura, known as El Fogón de Guardamar, reopened its doors this Sunday despite a municipal order mandating its closure. The reopening occurred after the seals placed by the Local Police were broken.

Guardamar Shuts Down popular El Fogón Sunday Market After 30 Years Operating Without a Licence

A surge in violent crime has left Orihuela Costa residents shaken, following a recent shooting that critically injured a man and an attempted kidnapping just days later.

Orihuela Costa Crime Surge Sparks Calls for Police Reinforcements

Urbanizador Villamartín S.A. has claimed nearly €3 million from Orihuela's City Council for interest accrued due to the land's occupation.

Orihuela Faces €3 Million Claim Over Public Use of Villamartín Road

Staff Reporter - 28/12/2024 0

Bridge at Last! Orihuela Launches Tender for Long-Awaited AP-7 Pedestrian Crossing

Bridge at Last! Orihuela Launches Tender for Long-Awaited AP-7 Pedestrian Crossing

Staff Reporter - 15/04/2025 0

The chiringuito on Cabo Roig beach

Court cancels Orihuela Costa beach bar contract awarded in 2018

@leadernewspaper - 09/05/2021 0

Torrevieja to Charge Bus Fares after Decades Being Free

Torrevieja to Charge Bus Fares after Decades Being Free

Mark Nolan - 22/04/2022 0

September start for 7,490 homes in La Hoya de Torrevieja

September start for 7,490 new homes in La Hoya de Torrevieja

Kevin Reardon - 30/07/2023 0

Both the mayor and the Councillor for the Coast celebrate the Paseo reopening

Delight in Orihuela Costa as Aguamarina Promenade Reopens

Staff Reporter - 19/08/2025 0

Frustration and political tension exploded once again in Orihuela Costa this Monday as more than 300 residents took to the streets in protest

Over 300 Residents Call for Independence and Accountability in Orihuela Costa...

Staff Reporter - 05/05/2025 0

Help to set the Priority of Investments in Orihuela Costa 2024

Staff Reporter - 21/04/2024 0

Have you paid the first instalment of the newly revised waste collection tax?

How to Claim Against Orihuela City Council’s New Waste Collection Tax

Staff Reporter - 08/05/2025 0

FILE IMAGE: Orihuela modifies use of sports land to build more houses in Orihuela Costa

Orihuela modifies use of sports land to build more houses in...

@leadernewspaper - 07/12/2020 3

Faced with a lack of action from Orihuela Town Hall, nearly 100 residents from almost all of the coastal area's 40 neighbourhoods have collaborated to document the alarming spread of potholes across the region.

THE ROAD TO NEGLECT – Orihuela Costa’s Streets Crumble While the...

Staff Reporter - 04/04/2025 0

The signing took place this morning at the Orihuela Coastal municipal offices. Representatives from the Bellavista homeowners’ association, the previous owners of the land, did not attend. Later, at the site, the association refused to grant access.

Orihuela Council takes Ownership of Cabo Roig Promenade and is now...

Staff Reporter - 12/08/2025 0

Calle Nicolás de Bussi

Orihuela plans change of Playa Flamenca plot to residential land

Kevin Reardon - 18/08/2022 0

“We believe that the large size of Orihuela Costa, its population, and the scattered nature of its neighbourhoods justify a greater police presence than what currently exists.

Rising Crime Rate Overlooked on Orihuela Costa

Staff Reporter - 09/04/2025 0

The victims were three German men — friends of the property’s German owner — who had reportedly gone to the house to check whether it was being illegally occupied.

DOUBLE MURDER HORROR IN ELCHE: CIVIL GUARD ARRESTS TWO POLISH SUSPECTS...

Staff Reporter - 24/12/2025 0

CONTINUED OUTRAGE AT CLOSURE OF AGUAMARINA/LA CALETA PASEO

Continued outrage at closure of Aguamarina / La Caleta Paseo

Contributor - 02/01/2022 0

The EQ-1 plot has been the subject of multiple proposals in the past. In October 2022, the City Council announced plans to establish an ecopark on the site.

New Private Hospital Planned for Lomas de Cabo Roig

Staff Reporter - 02/01/2025 0

ORIHUELA COSTA ROAD WORKS CONTRACT SCANDAL

PRESS RELEASE: ORIHUELA COSTA ROAD WORKS CONTRACT SCANDAL

@leadernewspaper - 06/02/2021 0

The Spanish government has condemned the violence, emphasizing that racism and vigilantism have no place in a democratic society.

Fear and Fury as Torre Pacheco Becomes Flashpoint in Spain’s Immigration...

Staff Reporter - 15/07/2025 0

Vandenbergen, who’s lived in Spain for 26 years, has become the unlikely kingmaker in a dramatic vote of no confidence that will oust the current mayor, José María Ballester (PP), on June 18.

Belgian Councillor Turns Tables on PP in San Fulgencio Shake-Up

Staff Reporter - 07/06/2025 0

Orihuela Costa, the worst summer in its history

Contributor - 25/08/2023 0

This morning’s announcement by Mazón is a testament to the years of effort put in by the community.

Second Health Centre confirmed for Orihuela Costa

Staff Reporter - 01/02/2025 0

Initially slated to welcome visitors this August, the project has now been pushed back indefinitely, impacting plans for a vibrant summer season.

Torrevieja Summer Plans Sunk as €40M Port Project Faces Major Setbacks

Staff Reporter - 18/04/2025 0

The legal challenge focused on the municipal project approved to create a pedestrian link of approximately 30 metres to connect two existing promenades, a section that is now open to the public.

High Court Ends Legal Battle Over Reopening of Cabo Roig Promenade

Staff Reporter - 09/01/2026 0

The market next to the N-332 in Guardamar del Segura, known as El Fogón de Guardamar, reopened its doors this Sunday despite a municipal order mandating its closure. The reopening occurred after the seals placed by the Local Police were broken.

Guardamar Market Reopens in defiance of Municipal Closure Order

Staff Reporter - 14/10/2025 0

Orihuela’s police aren’t just low on numbers—they’re caught in the crossfire of a political shootout.

Police Mayhem in Orihuela! Force Shrinks While Crime Explodes

Staff Reporter - 05/06/2025 0

The Orihuela Council has announced plans to regulate the use and rental of electric scooters along the Orihuela Costa to curb the growing chaos caused by these vehicles.

Orihuela promises to end Scooter Chaos on the Coast

Staff Reporter - 23/12/2024 0

The report was sent to the Public Prosecutor’s Office in response to an investigation triggered by a complaint from the neighbourhood association Unidos por la Costa.

Police Report Reveals 31 Accidents Due to Poor Road Conditions in...

Staff Reporter - 22/07/2025 0

AVCRL, the Association of residents of Cabo Roig and Lomas - Orihuela Costa, continually denounced the highly dangerous section of this road

Six months on, the infamous Carretera San Miguel de Salinas barrier...

Staff Reporter - 17/12/2024 0

New British Councillor for Los Alcázares

New British Councillor for Los Alcázares

@leadernewspaper - 18/04/2021 0

12 3...28 Page 1 of 28