831 Palma homes: five-year residency rule demanded

Anyone hoping to secure one of 831 planned affordable homes at Son Busquets in Palma, Mallorca, will need to show at least five years of residence in the Balearic Islands if the City Council gets its way. Palma wants developer Casa 47 to put the condition clearly into the allocation rules. On Wednesday, planning and housing councillor Óscar Fidalgo set out the council’s position to neighbourhood groups and other Palma organisations.

For publicly owned housing schemes, the required period must fall immediately before the allocation process begins. Applicants who can prove they live in the municipality where the home is located get priority — in this case, Palma. The residency requirement, set out in Balearic regulations, could be extended beyond five years.

Palma says the 831-home announcement needs firmer detail. It has asked Casa 47 to spell out the legal status of the homes, how many will be for rent, which protected-housing models will be used, and what binding building commitments and deadlines will apply.

Son Busquets covers about 110,000 square metres and has stood abandoned for more than 25 years. Alongside the homes, the plans include facilities, open areas and green space.

Reports reviewed by the council say the land originally set aside for education and health services is too small. Palma wants Casa 47 to reconsider land intended for residential development and use it instead for schools and health provision.

Parking also remains under review. The reports suggest underground parking or spaces built into the buildings, options intended to preserve trees while making room for public space.

Topics: Court cases · Housing · Politics · Palma

Source: Europa Press / Mallorca.com