The proposal, promoted by the Junta de Andalucía, aims to transform land that has been abandoned for over two decades. The spokesperson for the Socialist Group, Antonio Muñoz, and Mayor José Luis Sanz (PP) engaged in an intense exchange of views on this urban development operation.
“"The Junta will have 40 million euros in profits and the developer, more than 90 million."
Muñoz criticized the "dubious procedure" and questioned the lack of public housing requirements on the plot, deeming it illogical for land owned by the Junta to be allocated for free-market and luxury housing. The socialist spokesperson also warned about a report from Urban Planning technicians indicating the use of a "very risky legal shortcut" by the council. He also mentioned other projects like Jardines de Hércules and Jerusalén Street, where building density was tripled.
For his part, Mayor José Luis Sanz defended the operation, arguing that Seville "gains a lot" by recovering abandoned plots. He compared the 6,134 protected homes that, according to him, will be under construction by the end of his term, with the 83 VPO built during the PSOE's time in municipal government, alluding to the period when Muñoz served as delegate for Urban Planning.
Sanz stated that the Junta's request for a change of use cannot be questioned, as the original administrative building "had more buildability, more volume, and more floors than the supposed housing block." He emphasized that the operation is carried out "with the compensations established by law and with a benefit for all Sevillians."
The Provincial Commission for Historical Heritage communicated its objections to the housing project on the plot near the old Cádiz railway station on Wednesday. The body noted that the planning study does not comply with the height, alignment, and symmetry determinations established in the Special Protection Plan for Sector 20 'San Bernardo Station', despite the proposal being compatible with maintaining the character of the historic complex. The Commission urged the developers to "proceed with the corresponding modification" and include archaeological precautions in the document. It is worth noting that the Ministry of Sustainability and Environment issued a favorable strategic environmental report a year ago, allowing a maximum of 130 new homes.
