Canillo Council Approves Strict Terrace Rules for Uniform Mountain Aesthetic

Canillo parish council approved updates to terrace regulations during Tuesday's session, requiring neutral dark tones such as black or grey, dark wood, and two standardised designs—a basic model and a "chill-out" version for longer stays—to ensure a uniform aesthetic in line with urban beautification projects.

The rules ban bright colours, advertising features, and covered or semi-covered structures, which major consul Jordi Alcobé called visual barriers like "a building in front of a building." Tourism Promotion and Commerce councillor Alex Kinchella, who leads the commission, emphasised creating an "elegant, harmonious parish" using readily available materials that blend into the mountain landscape. Public Highways councillor Miquel Casal required a minimum 1.2-metre pedestrian walkway. Businesses gain a fee exemption on public space occupation until 1 January 2029, with minor consul Marc Casal noting this would cover over 50% of adaptation costs for most venues. The measures take effect next week after publication in the Official Bulletin of the Principality of Andorra (BOPA), applying to all new summer applications. Officials highlighted ongoing dialogue with restaurateurs.

In the same meeting, the council reviewed first-quarter 2026 budget execution, showing a €5.27 million surplus, zero communal debt, €9.84 million in settled revenues versus €4.58 million in expenses, and €5.59 million in net treasury. Casal described the results as "positive," linking low 15% expense execution to projects in tender or award stages, while revenues reached 33% of projections early. Alcobé praised sustainable finances amid investments, including the €2.5 million acquisition of part of Prat del Portal de Branqueta for green spaces, allotments, and a public park.

Further approvals covered a €216,000 contract for a 20-space car park with landscaped areas at the CG2-Meritxell junction, due for completion in two months; a €50,600 deal with Ensisa for an inflatable play park at Tarter parking from late June to mid-September to boost summer family tourism; a €140,000 credit increase for Branqueta enhancements; and a government agreement for five parcels totalling 1,171 square metres to widen CG2 between Vall del Riu and La Trava.

A €225,000 snow removal expense hike addressed heavier-than-expected winter snowfall. The council sworn in three new traffic agents—Brais Taboada, Carla Fernández, and Carles Martínez—expanding the corps to 20 for full daily rotations across parishes.

Council sources also announced plans to restore two historic mills in Ransol via a land swap with the owners, approved through an early 2025 agreement that resolved a related lawsuit over an unfinished building in Incles. One mill, on a 558.71-square-metre plot along Carretera dels Plans, will become a visitor space to highlight parish history. The other, known as Molí del Quart and Molí de Soldevila, will house a turbine to power a nearby parking area, promoting green energy. Both structures are in good condition, keeping costs low. The swap exchanges the mills for 1,630 square metres in Incles' Carrer Vilaneu, with valuation differences under 50%. The deal is now in a 15-working-day public consultation period.

On the Canillo-Roc del Quer cable car project, Alcobé confirmed it requires unanimous landowner consent, with agreements secured from six of eight but two holding firm due to conceptual opposition to a mechanical structure near their properties, not financial issues. He plans to formalise land and overflight easements with agreeing owners soon, then resume talks, citing economic benefits like 150,000 annual visitors to Pont Tibetà and precedents in Encamp and La Massana. Without full approval, the project cannot proceed.