The question of whether to transform the General Urban Planning Plan (PGOU) through specific modifications or to develop a new plan from scratch has been a recurring theme in Elche over recent years. The current governing team, from PP and Vox, has chosen the former approach, implementing several modifications. PSOE and Copromís attempted to initiate procedures for a new plan in 2020, but the initiative did not progress beyond a preliminary consultation.
The urgency to regulate the parking areas around the airport, which occupy approximately 110 hectares and operate without licenses, has prompted a new PGOU modification. The City Council aims to end years of laxity, as these lands are primarily used for parking, a prohibited use under current regulations in that area. Residents fear that the regional government might facilitate installations through Declarations of Community Interest (DIC), but the council insists on the primacy of the General Plan.
The debate persists on whether a partial modification or a structural reform of the PGOU would have prevented these issues. Proponents of small changes argue that a new PGOU can take between 12 and 15 years to approve, while others believe it could be faster from the private sector. For now, the City Council maintains its position of making modifications, drawing comparisons with Barcelona's 1976 General Plan, and prioritizes resolving pending matters like the Central Market or the Palm Grove before undertaking new development.
This reactive situation is not exclusive to the parking areas. Similar modifications have been made to integrate and regulate photovoltaic plants and energy storage batteries, addressing the proliferation of projects not foreseen by the PGOU. At the regional level, 32 plants have been approved in Elche, with 14 already holding municipal licenses. Although the municipal Strategic Plan anticipated the need for regulatory adjustments, punctual modifications have been chosen.
Other ongoing modifications include the Crevillent road, to prioritize commercial use over industrial, and the delimitation of new construction limits on the South Ring Road. Height regulations in the periphery are also being reviewed, with the possibility of up to 12 stories in certain sectors, adapting the regulations to new urban planning needs.
The challenges concerning the Palm Grove and agro-industry also require adaptations. The Special Plan for the Palm Grove is in development, and urban planning situations affected by alignments in protected orchards will be reviewed. Regarding commercial premises, a safeguard is being considered to prevent their conversion into housing in areas designated for commerce or hospitality. Additionally, the catalog of protected assets is being updated, including war shelters and the Cruz de Germanías.
In summary, a confluence of social, economic, and climatic situations necessitates regulations not fully reflected in the 1998 PGOU. While other cities plan for the long term, Elche continues to address day-to-day changes, hoping to define a fundamental urban planning strategy for the future.
