The PSOE political group in Torrevieja has launched a sharp critique against the PP administration, accusing them of championing an unsustainable model of urban development. During a recent plenary session, socialist spokesperson Bárbara Soler clarified her group’s decision to abstain from the initial approval of a plan for Sector 29, a development project expected to bring thousands of new residents to the area.
Soler rejected attempts by the Mayor, Mr Dolón, to link the socialist abstention to a lack of support for the Torrevieja hospital expansion. She pointed out that the hospital’s original location was the result of a political deal made over 20 years ago, which tied the infrastructure to a future reclassification of non-urban land. Soler argued that public health facilities should be built on designated land or through public interest expropriation rather than being subordinated to private urban operations.
Technical reports from the Territorial Planning Service have already warned that existing residential land in Torrevieja exceeds sustainable growth limits. While a subsequent report suggested these findings are no longer legally binding due to regulatory changes, Soler maintained that the data remains relevant and proves the current model is unsustainable.
The socialist spokesperson also addressed the heated debate regarding a potential desalination plant. She described the Mayor’s “health, not brine” slogan as ridiculous and accused him of creating false alarm. According to Soler, the hospital expansion and the desalination plant are perfectly compatible and necessary infrastructures.
Furthermore, the PSOE accused the PP of administrative negligence regarding the hospital. Soler claimed that 11 million euro left by the previous Botànic government for the expansion in 2023 was never spent, followed by a budget of 1.5 million euro in 2024 that also saw zero execution. For 2025, she noted that the budget allocated 0 euro for the project.
Councillor Jose Antonio Bonilla added that the current hospital plot has reached its building capacity. He argued that the proposed handover of a new 11,400-square-metre plot would only provide roughly 7,400 square metres of buildable space, which he deemed insufficient for the needs of the Area 22 population. Soler concluded by stating that the PP model prioritises private interests over public health and sustainable planning.
