Andorra Culture Minister Defends Church Protection Zone Amid Landowner Fury

Culture Minister Mònica Bonell has rejected claims that the protection zone around Sant Joan de Caselles church in Canillo amounts to expropriation of affected land, insisting the government is simply applying cultural heritage legislation.

The zone, approved by decree, covers roughly 260,000 square metres and includes an accompaniment area and a preventive zone aimed at preserving the monument and preventing impacts. Landowners have labelled the boundaries disproportionate relative to the church's size, complaining of new usage restrictions without compensation. They argue the administration's documentation focuses heavily on the site's history and cultural value but fails to justify the zone's extent through studies on sightlines, simulations or topographies. Owners also question whether preserving visuals warrants such broad limits, noting the government previously considered a land transfer centre there. They express deep feelings of injustice, pointing out their ancestors donated land for the church itself.

Bonell's comments follow criticism from Andorra Endavant councillor Carine Montaner, who called the restrictions "outrageous" on social media and highlighted the lack of indemnity. The minister acknowledged owners' right to feel angry but accused Montaner of demagoguery for aligning with them. "We are not carrying out any expropriation; we are applying the cultural heritage law," Bonell stated.

She emphasised that the measures follow the 2003 law, amended in 2013, which differs from expropriation procedures that include compensation. Officials collaborated with Canillo commune technicians and consellers when incorporating the zone into the parish urban plan, where some areas were already restricted due to prior construction bans in risk zones.

Affected parties can file allegations and appeals, Bonell noted, with the government committed to upholding any court decision. Efforts were made to consult owners, though she said dialogue depends on circumstances.

The government plans revisions to the heritage law, including reviewing the annex of assets needing protection zones, in talks with communes. Bonell suggested alternative tools could suffice in some cases, citing the Madriu Valley's existing safeguards.