Andorra Social Democrat leader proposes transferring building rights in heritage zones

Susanna Vela, leader of the Social Democrat parliamentary group, has proposed allowing property owners in Andorra's heritage protection zones to transfer building rights from restricted plots to other land they own.

Speaking to the Andorran News Agency (ANA), Vela described the idea as feasible and ready for government review. She first raised it during her time as a minister and highlighted cases where owners face complete restrictions. "There will be people who cannot do anything" on affected land, she said, suggesting the administration could relocate that building capacity to another site in the owner's portfolio.

Vela stressed that such zones do not amount to expropriation. "From the outset, the government does not expropriate anything," she said. Instead, officials set criteria for altering existing buildings or permitting new construction.

She pointed to the draft protection area around the Sant Joan de Caselles site in Canillo, spanning about 260,000 square metres and pending approval. Owners have two months to submit objections, after which they can pursue legal challenges or court appeals if they believe their rights are infringed.

Vela criticised shortcomings in the current legal setup for safeguarding owners. She opposed weakening protections in the government's forthcoming Heritage Law revisions, advocating a return to 100-metre precautionary buffers and stronger central oversight of heritage matters.

While parishes should play a supporting role, she argued, cultural heritage must take priority over urban pressures.