Infrastructure

Buildings in Palma in danger of collapse because they are "ruins"

Fears that derelict buildings in Palma might collapse. | Archive

Majorca Daily Bulletin reporterPalma16/09/2017 00:00

In the centre of Palma there are a dozen buildings which, because of their state of disrepair, have been declared ruins by the town hall. With public safety paramount, this has meant going as far as closing off part of one street, which is the case in Sa Gerreria.

With one property on the calle Bosc there is a demolition order. In a second case in the same street the owner wants to rehabilitate it, something which the urban planning department is studying. A third building on calle Vila is also set to be demolished.

The three are all close to each other, and they are causing concern among residents. The deputy mayor for urban planning, José Hila, says that town hall technicians are taking the necessary measures. He notes that with private properties the town hall can only really intervene once deadlines for action have passed. Nevertheless, with the season for heavy rain having arrived, concerns about the potential collapse of the buildings have increased.

Hila points out that there aren't many buildings in this condition and that owners are obliged to act, which can means total or partial demolition. Buildings can be restored but only if town hall technicians consider rehabilitation to be viable.