On Wednesday morning, work began on the site of the future Cala d'Hort car park with a backhoe excavator. Against the backdrop of the imposing islet of Es Vedrà, the machine was tasked with placing sand to prepare a 7,000-square-metre area to accommodate up to 200 vehicles.
This action, undertaken by the Sant Josep Town Council, comes in what could be the last year of the agreement signed between the council and the property for the exploitation of the land.
The contract, according to which the Town Hall pays 8,000 euros per year for the cession of the land, ends on December 31st. For this reason, it cannot be ruled out that the property will decide next year to adapt the land as a paid car park - with the investment that this entails - and exploit it economically.
It is worth remembering that this land, which was traditionally used as a car park, was closed at the request of the property, and with the approval of the town council, at the end of February of this year. As the mayor, Vicent Roig, explained at the time, the request for closure by the property came because of a possible fire risk which they were not willing to take responsibility for.
As a result of the closure, the number of vehicles in adjoining areas increased, as people came to enjoy the sunset, thus provoking complaints from neighbours. The council hopes that this action will eliminate the pressure and solve the problem, at least for the rest of this year, while awaiting the possible introduction of paid parking by the property from 2026.