The Protected Natural Areas Management Service of the Generalitat Valenciana has requested the Alicante Territorial Directorate to certify whether the land where the dwelling is being built is forest or agricultural. This distinction is crucial, as the regulations of the Natural Resources Management Plan (PORN), approved in February 2026 for Sierra Escalona and Dehesa de Campoamor, expressly prohibit construction on forest land.
The Orihuela City Council had defended the legality of the work, which is underway and located in a Protected Landscape, asserting that it had a municipal license and a favorable report from the Ministry of Agriculture. However, the director of the Protected Landscape warns that if the land is forest, construction is prohibited by article 40.2.b of the PORN, making the action incompatible and subject to administrative sanctions.
In any case, the report recalls that the PORN processing began before the works started, which reinforces the full applicability of its restrictions.
If the land is classified as agricultural, the dwelling would only be compatible if it is linked to agricultural or livestock uses, does not exceed 200 square meters of construction or 2% of the cadastral surface, and the owner proves their status as a professional farmer or rancher. The plot in question measures 26,000 square meters.
The initial complaint was filed on February 25 by the conservationist entity Amigos de Sierra Escalona, which places the construction in an agroforestry mosaic area of high environmental value, within a space with protection figures such as the Special Protection Area for Birds (ZEPA) and the Site of Community Importance (LIC), transitioning towards its declaration as a Natural Park.
This situation arises while the Valencian Agency for Territorial Protection has initiated procedures for the demolition of a large chalet in Cabezo Mortero de San Miguel de Salinas, also within the Protected Landscape, which had a municipal license later revoked by the courts.
