Building causing all the problems

Back in July of last year, I reported that the derelict buildings, known as "Edificia Las Terrazas" which stood on the corner of the Avd Mediterraneo and Avd Europa were being demolished. The majority were bulldozed but one building remained - the one which housed the electricity transformer which provided power to the surrounding properties. There then began a standoff between Iberdrola and the land owners as to who was responsible for the cost of moving the transformer, which was estimated somewhere in the region of 130,000 euros.

The lack of an agreement has caused a real headache for the Town Hall - the location is a major tourist thoroughfare and the remaining building was falling further and further into deterioration and a real eyesore. Thousands passed it daily on their way down to the Levante beach front. But wait for it, after 12 years an agreement has been reached and the last phase of the demolition can now go ahead. The land owners have agreed to give Iberdrola a small plot 25 sq metres to enable them to install a new transformer, and the electricity company has agreed to bear the cost of the demolition and transfer.

Benidorm Town Hall

Yesterday, Councillor for Town Planning, Vicente Juan Ivorra announced that an agreement had been reached between the two sides and that the eyesore that has harmed the image of the town will now removed, much to the delight and relief of the Mayor. The situation has dragged on for 12 years. Back in the year 2000, a technical report found that the buildings were contaminated with asbestos and ordered their evacuation. In 2004 the Supreme Court confirmed the findings but legal disputes continued until 2009. Then in 2011 the court authorized the City Council to proceed with the demolition which then came to a standstill over the transformer situation.

The landowners have an outstanding debt of about 45,000 euros payable to the Council and I would guess that until it is paid no license will be granted to them for development of the site. There is no indication what will be built there, but I wouldn´t be surprised if the landowners sold the plot on with the debt still outstanding and therefore becoming the responsibility of the new owners / developers. It has just been announced that a brand new 5 star hotel will be built further along the Avd Mediterraneo so I doubt that there is room for yet another hotel, especially as the Hotel Cimbel is just opposite. But it will be interesting to see what eventually goes up there...