La Massana POUP Revision Closes with 107 Objections Amid Sustainable Growth Push

The public consultation period for the second revision of La Massana's Parish Land-Use and Urban Planning Scheme (POUP) closed yesterday afternoon with 107 objections submitted.

Comú leader Eva Sansa described the number as moderate, noting that most landowners recognize the need for the proposed restrictions following years of rapid parish expansion. The revised plan significantly curbs growth potential, tailoring urban development to match existing resources, services, infrastructure, and natural surroundings.

A technical team will now assess each objection over the coming month, proposing full or partial acceptance for some and dismissal for others. Provisional council approval is slated for late October, followed by review from the Technical Urban Planning Commission (CTU) ahead of final ratification.

Among the main changes, the scheme introduces suitability standards for urbanizable land, considering factors such as distance from town centers, terrain slopes, visual impact, and vulnerability risks. This approach lowers construction density in fragile or isolated zones to encourage controlled growth.

The plan mandates land donations within each urbanizable unit for public services and amenities serving local needs. It also refines urban rules to protect the parish's unique architectural identity and blend new buildings into the mountain landscape.

Notably, the POUP caps the parish population at 25,000—double the current figure but less than half the 60,000 limit set by the previous version.

During the consultative council stage, all parties endorsed shifting to a stricter urban framework aligned with the area's real capacity. The document had been open for public review since late June over 60 working days.