The issue of the growing vehicle storage areas linked to Alicante-Elche Airport has reached institutional levels after years of neighborhood complaints. The Vial Aeropuerto Elche Residents' Association has presented a technical report to the Torrellano District Board, which thoroughly analyzes the situation and warns of a progressive transformation of rural land over more than two decades, with direct consequences on the territory, safety, and quality of life for residents.
The document, titled «Campas Impact Report», was presented by a spokesperson for the neighborhood entity, who demands a political and administrative response. The goal is for the text, along with a citizen proposal, to be debated and voted on next April 28 at the Torrellano Social Center.
“"We have been denouncing this reality for years, but now we have put everything that is happening in black and white."
The report indicates that since the early 2000s, there has been a constant proliferation of parking areas, functional subdivisions, and logistics activities related to car rental, many of them on land classified as undeveloped. These activities have been implemented on plots near homes and rural roads without the capacity to handle the increased traffic, leading to a substantial alteration of the rural character of the land.
One of the most prominent aspects of the document is the lack of a specific planning instrument to regulate the airport's surroundings, which has led to unstructured growth, the consolidation of irregular situations, and evident legal uncertainty. The text also points to possible non-compliance with urban planning regulations, such as unauthorized changes of use or lack of environmental assessments.
“"This is not a recent problem, but two decades of inaction that have allowed the irregular to become consolidated."
In addition to traffic, residents report a progressive deterioration of their living conditions, with increased nocturnal noise, invasive lighting, and a sense of insecurity. The report also highlights environmental consequences, emphasizing the elimination of productive agricultural land and the alteration of the traditional landscape. For the association, the current model creates distortions that affect both residents and businesses that comply with regulations.
The document concludes that there is a substantial transformation of rural land with unplanned tertiary uses and a significant impact in urban, environmental, and social terms. The association proposes a series of measures, including the drafting of a Special Plan, an urban audit, and a risk assessment for road safety and civil protection. These proposals will be brought before the District Board to seek concrete agreements.
The PP and Vox municipal government has acknowledged that the Elche City Council had not granted any licenses or conducted inspections of vehicle parking areas in 2024 and 2025, despite continuous neighborhood complaints. A city council spokesperson stated that decisions are expected «soon» and that the municipal response will involve not only an ordinance but «above all» a modification of the General Plan.
