The local offices of inspection and land have ordered crews to cease installation of a sluice gate on the canal connecting Estany Pudent to the nearby sea. The individuals executing the work had failed to notify local departments of environment, heritage and land.

Local inspection services, Formentera Local Police and agents of the regional environment ministry and coastal authority arrived on the scene after the island’s inspection services received news at 10.00am this morning of activity in a highly ecologically fragile area of Ses Salines nature reserve. A case will be opened to determine what legal action is pursued.

5 March 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

The Formentera Land Department reminds property-owners of non-heritage sites that, short of add-ons, improvements may be performed as early as ten days after notifying the administration of intent. “Whether notice is given in-person at the OAC or online on the OVAC”, said land chief Rafael González, “work can start within ten days if the surface area isn’t affected.”

Minor work on non-heritage sites can begin just one day after plans are communicated. “The idea is to simplify legwork on projects that don’t involve expanded square metres”, said Ramírez. “We wanted to make things easier for regular islanders and construction firms”, he added, highlighting hopes the change would serve to lighten the workload of the FLD.

Permit fee rebates
Until 30 April, “Formentera, every corner counts” seeks to offer pandemic relief and re-energise the local economy and hometown construction firms by offering a full rebate of fees for small works permits and a 95% rebate on fees for standard project permits.

11 February 2021
Communications Department
Consell de Formentera

Consell de Formentera president Alejandra Ferrer was joined today by territory chief Rafael González for the launch of Formentera es cuida a cada racó—an effort to promote the beautification of urban spaces starting this November and set to continue through the month of April whose name roughly translates as “Formentera, every corner counts”. The campaign will see the rollout of simplified, faster permit processing and reduced fees to perform rehabilitation work and upgrades in towns. “The aim is to encourage islanders and business owners to play a part in elevating our towns”, said President Ferrer.

Ferrer indicated the Consell would additionally expand repairs and upkeep at public spaces like gardens, parks and municipal buildings. “With Covid-19 and everything that has come along with it this year, upgrades are one way that islanders and our local administration can take part in kickstarting Formentera’s economy”, she said. Besides works projects carried out by Consell employees, other upgrades are expected to be contracted out to hometown companies in an additional boost to the sector.

To turbocharge the effort, the Consell plans to work with the island’s small- and medium-sized business group (Pimef), the Formentera Chamber of Commerce, housing associations, property managers, construction firms and retail spaces on reduced fees and fast-tracked processing of upgrade permit requests for aesthetic improvements to buildings and surrounding spaces.

Tax breaks and expedited permits
Rafael González explained that preferential rates would apply to fees and taxes on maintenance and improvements but not new builds or added square footage. Fees will be waived completely and taxes will be reduced 95 per cent — the maximum markdown allowed by law. Moreover, the conseller said that islanders hoping to execute projects would only need to communicate plans to the Consell by filling out two forms, in person at the OAC or online via the OVAC, and work could begin within 24 hours. Complete details on the “every corner” campaign are available on the OVAC, with the Formentera Department of Urbanism fielding inquiries via email urbanisme@conselldeformentera.cat or in appointments scheduled over the phone.

“The idea is to enrich our towns and scenery, ultimately two of Formentera’s most valuable assets”, said President Ferrer. The premiere asserted those assets would “make us more competitive as a destination, and to get there we intend to leverage the collaboration of every resident and the impulse of the public sector.”

21 October 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera

On Monday 8 June the Formentera Department of Territory (Àrea de Territori, Carrer de Pius Tur Mayans, nº14) will once again open for consultations, weekdays from 9.00am to 2.00pm.

Visitors are asked to telephone 971 32 10 87 to schedule an appointment in advance.

Telephone consultations are now available as well, also by appointment.

5 June 2020
Department of Communications
Consell de Formentera