Pas de la Casa Residents Escalate Protest Against Church Square Renovation

Residents in Pas de la Casa have intensified their campaign against the Plaça de l'Església renovation, launching a signature drive and posing 20 technical questions to Encamp council while demanding a halt to works over transparency shortfalls and risks to the church's prominence.

The group, which acknowledges the need for upgrades, criticises fragmented and late information shared informally, with no public consultation despite the project's approval in July 2025 and a planned start between May 5 and 8, 2026. They worry new structures could obscure the parish-built church, a key landmark in the village's cultural landscape. "We are not against improvements. What we reject is significantly altering the church's visibility—a symbol of Pas de la Casa—without transparency or dialogue with year-round residents," the collective stated.

In a detailed response to council claims, residents listed concerns including soil decontamination from a prior diesel spill, water management in high-mountain conditions, accessibility under the new universal accessibility law, protection for the church's stained glass during works, and economic fallout from overlapping projects like the avenue remodel, which previously halved some businesses' clientele. They argue website documents do not ensure broad access and dismiss the pre-works leaflet as mere notification, not consultation. Demands include suspending works pending answers, a public session in Pas de la Casa with full plans, simulations, and multilingual materials, and design tweaks to safeguard visibility and heritage.

Encamp council rejects any pause, insisting the €1.34-1.4 million project reflects majority input from neighbourhood meetings, the Economic and Social Council, Youth Council, and church representatives like former rector Toni Elvira and current figure Álex Vargas. Officials highlight features such as a larger accessible space, play areas, grouped event zones, a heated bus shelter, and a children's slide suggestion. The church will receive internal insulation, leak fixes, facade refreshes, and energy upgrades without external alterations to enhance its prominence, while gardeners give way to unified granite paving.

Previous works under Jordi Torres and Esther París covered the upper square, delayed on the lower by decontamination; the Laura Mas administration prioritised completion. A leaflet detailing the first phase—running to November, resuming post-winter, and finishing before Puríssima bridge—will reach homes soon. Council sources describe the petition as misaligned with broader views but welcome queries.

No figures on signatures or further council replies were available.