Escaldes Cònsol Major Calls for Urban Planning Coordination Amid Towers Dispute

Rosa Gili, Escaldes-Engordany's cònsol major, has reiterated her call for greater institutional coordination on urban planning, insisting it involves responsibilities beyond parishes amid the ongoing towers dispute in El Clot d'Emprivat and tensions over POUB/POUP plans.

The government's executive, under Xavier Espot, recently sent Gili a letter rejecting her mid-December proposal for a tripartite anti-towers commission involving the executive, Consell General, and parish. Espot argued urbanism falls under exclusive parish competence per the LGOTU, or General Territory and Urban Planning Law, barring central intervention in matters like building heights, volumes, or permits. The letter also noted an existing Consell General commission studying LGOTU reforms, where parishes already contribute, making a new body redundant. Espot suggested Escaldes use available tools like POUP modification—possible anytime—or a full review, eligible since the 2018 update.

Gili dismissed the stance as selective, noting the Òmnibus law—pushed by the government and approved by Consell General—affected urbanism without parish input. "It's a parish competence when it suits them," she said, criticizing the executive for critiquing projects while claiming no role. She stressed shared duties in mobility, energy capacity, waste treatment, and equipment, arguing a single parish cannot address these alone.

"If we agree certain things aren't right, we should work arm in arm," Gili said, urging collaboration for Andorra's future. She highlighted a draft law from recent consols meetings to mandate government and Consell General consultations with parishes on impacting legislation, akin to seeking jurists' views on justice reforms. "Institutionalizing these channels will improve communication and enrich everyone," she added, awaiting Consell General action.

The exchange underscores divisions over planning authority, with Gili pushing for joint efforts despite the government's firm position on parish exclusivity.