The discussion about the lack of industrial land in Alcoy is constant, and one of the most shared options, especially by those who do not support the Alcoi Sud Business Park project, is the joint management of industrial land. However, for the mayor of Alcoy, Toni Francés, this option, which he also supports, faces a significant problem.
Francés believes that, to be viable, a joint industrial park needs at least one million square meters. As he explains, this area is not currently available in Alcoy, Cocentaina, or Muro, with the exception of the La Canal land, where the Alcoi Sud Business Park is planned.
“"Alcoy needs industrial land, it needs large plots, well-connected, well-communicated to attract companies and meet the needs of companies that need to grow. We all share this, and not only Alcoy, but the region. Neither Alcoy, nor Cocentaina nor Muro, who want to promote joint industrial estates, can provide one million square meters to be able to join forces, and I have spoken for years with several mayors."
The mayor reiterated in Thursday's plenary session that the reports from the Júcar Hydrographic Confederation on the protection of the Molinar perimeter must be awaited. He stated that if the Confederation rules that there are no guarantees for the aquifer, he will not support the Alcoi Sud project.
From Guanyar Alcoi, Sergi Rodríguez and Mari Carmen Paredes emphasize the need for real planning and alternatives. They propose launching a joint industrial park in the most suitable areas, cooperating with other municipalities, and combining efforts. They also point to improving existing industrial estates and planning the land already foreseen in the General Plan, which adds up to 700,000 square meters of new industrial land in the Pagos and Santiago Payá-Sant Benet areas, avoiding projects that jeopardize the Molinar aquifer.
