Pirineu Viu Supports Bellver Residents' Protest Against Council's Expansionist Urban Plan

**Pirineu Viu backs Bellver residents' challenge to council's expansionist urban plan**

The platform Pirineu Viu has voiced support for Bellver de Cerdanya residents protesting what they describe as the local council's "expansionist" approach in its draft municipal urban plan (POUM). The group argues that such plans, which shape territorial development, warrant close public scrutiny across the Pyrenees.

Residents have raised concerns over a perceived lack of transparency and inconsistencies in the draft POUM, made public recently. They organised an event at the town's civic centre last week, drawing around 150 attendees. There, participants highlighted contradictions, gaps, errors, and overly ambitious growth scenarios promoted by the council.

Critics point to population growth projections they view as disproportionate compared to trends over the past century. They argue the plan envisions excessive land use for construction, seemingly geared toward single-family homes with gardens to house this projected influx. Instead, they call for prioritising affordable housing.

Pirineu Viu announced plans to submit formal objections, urging officials to reject the draft outright. Their demands include launching a genuine democratic participation process, adopting a model to reduce urban and developable land, and safeguarding affordable primary-residence housing.

The platform noted recent council statements in local media appearing to align with residents' views. However, it criticised the lack of information provided to the wider Bellver public during the objections period, along with discrepancies between the council's words and its proposals. "We remain vigilant over every step in this institutional process," the group stated.

Pirineu Viu emphasised that urban plans require vigilant oversight by locals familiar with their communities—not just in Cerdanya but throughout Pyrenean counties. In Bellver's case, they suggested the drafting team lacks sufficient knowledge of the municipality. The platform pledged to back similar resident efforts elsewhere.