Mallorca pools: 10,000 built as ban is urged

More than 10,000 pools have been built on Mallorca since 2015, according to an environmental group’s study. Terraferida is calling on Monday for a permanent ban on further pool construction across the island. It wants an exception only for public or shared pools.

The group says the building rate works out at 1,166 pools a year, or 23 each week. It also wants existing pools covered when they are not in use to reduce evaporation.

New pools cluster in towns and coastal areas

Terraferida says 70% of the new built pools are on urban land, with the remaining 30% on rural land. Palma, Marratxí, Calvià, Llucmajor, Santanyí, Manacor, Campos, Felanitx, Alcúdia and Pollença have recorded the highest numbers.

The biggest concentrations are in housing developments and coastal places including Sa Ràpita, Santa Ponça, Cala Murada, Colònia de Sant Pere and Can Picafort. In Palma, construction is more spread out, though Son Vida has a notable concentration.

Terraferida counted 74 pools at the Can Domenge residential development opposite Velòdrom Illes Balears. Most are private pools on the roof terraces of individual homes.

Group links pools to tourist rental pressure

Terraferida representative Mateu Vic says pools are often the first thing built at chalets because they increase their tourist value. The group argues that this fuels speculation linked to tourist rentals and pushes up land and housing prices for Mallorcans.

It is also seeking a halt to scattered new building, with land marked for development redesignated as rural land to block further construction. Terraferida wants rural land limited to agricultural, natural and recreational uses, as well as stepped-up water prices for excessive consumption and caps on wells on rural land.

Topics: Housing · Tourism · Politics · Palma · Marratxí · Calvià · Llucmajor · Santanyí · Manacor · Campos · Felanitx · Alcúdia · Pollença · Inca · Ariany · Artà · Santa Margalida

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com