Sant Julià de Lòria Extends Urban Licence Suspension for 18 Months Amid POUP Review

Sant Julià de Lòria's local council has approved an 18-month extension to the temporary suspension of all land subdivision licences and new private urbanisation projects across the parish.

The measure, passed during a council meeting, supports the ongoing review of the Parish Urban Planning Plan (POUP). Officials aim to redefine the area's development model amid Andorra's intense property boom. Cònsol Major Cerni Cairat stated that the extension ensures the review proceeds with sufficient time for technical rigour.

Cairat outlined a timeline: provisional POUP approval by late this year, followed by a public consultation period for stakeholder input. Final approval is expected around autumn 2027, with the licence suspension in place throughout.

He emphasised the need for a major rethink of urban models across Andorra, given the current construction surge. The updated POUP will prioritise growth that infrastructure can handle, including water supply, roads, sewage, social services, and education.

In response to calls from opposition councillor Josep Majoral for greater involvement, Cairat announced a new citizen participation working group. It will include representatives from community groups, social organisations, land owners, builders, and property developers. The goal is maximum transparency in shaping a sustainable urban future, blending technical assessments with ordered growth policies.

Majoral welcomed the initiative, stressing the need to first review the parish's capacity studies to determine optimal growth limits before political decisions on density, building heights, and traffic calming in the village centre. He described the POUP as essential for the parish's future and urged a serious, structured process to ease uncertainty for residents and developers.

Cairat acknowledged the review's impact on private individuals and promoters but insisted on transparent management. He noted that urban expansion has inherent limits tied to resources and infrastructure, and the working group will deliver clear, participatory decisions for sustainable development.