Cabildo processes 115 cases of illegal construction on protected land

The Cabildo handled 115 cases of illegal construction and planning violations on rural and protected land in 2025. The offences largely involved unlicensed buildings, illegal permanent structures, and other breaches of land protection laws.

A detailed report submitted to the Canary Islands Agency for the Protection of the Natural Environment reveals Haría recorded the highest number of incidents, with 31 cases. It was followed by Teguise with 27, Tinajo with 18, Yaiza with 14, and Tías with 11. The municipalities of Arrecife and San Bartolomé registered the lowest figures, with 8 and 6 cases respectively, which officials attribute partly to their smaller areas of rural and protected land.

The island’s president, Oswaldo Betancort, stated “Every illegal construction on rural or protected land has a direct impact on the landscape, natural resources, and the model of the island that we must all preserve.”

He insisted the Cabildo acts “in accordance with the law,” adding that “the protection of the territory is a legal obligation and a collective responsibility to future generations.” The president concluded by reaffirming the Cabildo’s “firm stance against any interventions that are contrary to the landscape and agricultural values that underpin Lanzarote’s recognition as a Globally Important Agricultural Heritage System (GIAHS).”

The Cabildo’s Environment Councillor, Samuel Martín, explained that the majority of cases involved buildings erected without a municipal licence, illegal land occupation, or failures to comply with granted authorisations. “The regulations exist to organise the territory and prevent irreversible damage. Breaking them has legal and environmental consequences,” Martín stated.

Martín also noted that approximately 670 similar cases have been processed across the island in the last four years, indicating a persistent issue requiring continued control and public awareness.

Building without a licence or installing unlawful permanent structures can lead to significant financial penalties.

In a move to improve prevention, the Cabildo is preparing a detailed catalogue of infractions. This will provide local councils with a clear overview of the most frequent irregularities, aiming to enhance institutional coordination.