Inner Wellness Eco Resort is currently processing permits to construct an extensive eco-hotel complex on over 170,000 square metres of rural land. The site is situated within a highly sensitive buffer zone of the La Mata and Torrevieja Lagoons Natural Park, an area currently characterized by vineyards and agricultural land bordering the wetlands.
The developer has submitted documentation to the Generalitat, the Valencian regional government, for an environmental assessment. This application relies on the presence of Casa Sala, a traditional agricultural building over a century old, which occupies approximately 800 square metres. Furthermore, in March, the company requested a certificate of urban planning compatibility from the Torrevieja City Council. Sources from the governing People’s Party have acknowledged awareness of the project, though neither the developer nor the firm provided comments on the status of the environmental assessment when approached.
The proposed development involves the rehabilitation and expansion of the semi-ruined Casa Sala, combined with the installation of lightweight, prefabricated cabins covering 13,000 square metres. Beyond accommodation, the plan includes a large wellness area, parking facilities, a pollination zone, wet and dry salt marshes, an agrivoltaic installation—comprising a solar plant of over one hectare—as well as vineyard restoration and permaculture zones.
While the municipal certificate of urban planning compatibility is favourable, it remains conditional upon subsequent authorisations. Any final approval depends strictly on the Land Use and Management Plan and the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN) of the Natural Park, which are governed by the regional administration. The site is classified as protected non-developable land, where most urban development is generally prohibited. Municipal technicians have noted that the park’s master plan typically bans new tourist and recreational construction within the park, with exceptions limited to unique projects promoted by the park administration or essential services.
The developer is seeking to utilise a provision that allows for the conversion of existing buildings for tourist use, provided the initiative complies with strict environmental standards regarding wastewater and landscape preservation. Complicating the application is the fact that the plot straddles the boundary between Torrevieja and Guardamar. Consequently, the Torrevieja City Council can only rule on the portion of the land within its jurisdiction, meaning any future building licences will require coordination with the Guardamar City Council. Additionally, the northern side of the plot is affected by the Maritime-Terrestrial Public Domain and related protection easements.
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