Encamp Councillor Warns of Municipal Powers 'Invasion' in Andorra Urban Planning Reforms

Laura Mas, Encamp's senior councillor, has raised concerns about possible encroachment on municipal urban planning authority amid reforms to Andorra's General Law on Territorial Planning and Urbanism (LOGTU). In statements following Tuesday's meeting of the seven communes' councillors, she detailed positions on 77 points from the review process.

The communes support 72 of these, either outright or with adjustments, Mas noted. Agreements include simplifying urban licensing procedures, boosting legal security, adding sustainability and load capacity standards, toughening penalties, refining risk mapping, and mandating binding local reports for sectoral plans.

Tensions persist over five points. Communes insist that national strategic plans require their prior consent and that national interest projects involving parish land transfers need a binding local report. They oppose unilateral soil reservations, heritage actions—including catalogue changes and protection zones—without prior binding commune approval, and the establishment of superior bodies that might override local urban powers. Mas called the latter a potential "invasion" of municipal roles.

On the 72 agreed points, some warrant tweaks, such as revising mandatory land cessions, developing coordinated planning tools, and setting growth mechanisms that uphold commune discretion and parish-specific urban models.

The communes analysed government proposals alongside inputs from the General Council's LOGTU study commission hearings. They have drafted a summary note for the commission, seeking a unified document with the government that is robust, consistent, and mutually endorsed.

"We know our territories inside out and what we need, so this law must be practical, workable, and suited to national realities," Mas said. She advocated improved nationwide territorial oversight and inter-administration alignment, while demanding full protection of commune urban authority to foster balanced, sustainable growth. The communes emphasise their proximity to local contexts and willingness to engage actively in the reform.