Environmental organisation GEN-GOB has formally submitted objections to Ibiza Town's proposed new Mercat Nou project, calling for the plan to be withdrawn and arguing that the existing market should instead be rehabilitated.

The organisation describes the current proposal as oversized and incompatible with efforts to reduce traffic, improve environmental quality and create a more people-focused city.

Nearly 1,000 Parking Spaces

One of GEN-GOB's main concerns is the amount of parking planned as part of the development.

The proposal includes a new three-storey market building with a three-level underground car park providing 279 spaces.

A second phase would add approximately another 700 parking spaces on the land where the existing Mercat Nou currently stands.

GEN-GOB argues that this could ultimately create around 1,000 additional parking spaces within the area of Ibiza's future Low Emission Zone.

The organisation warns that increasing parking capacity could encourage more private-car traffic, with potential consequences for congestion, noise and air quality.

A Different Vision for the Market

GEN-GOB is calling instead for the current Mercat Nou to be rehabilitated and modernised.

The organisation says this option would allow the city to improve the market without occupying additional public space or creating a new large-scale development elsewhere.

Only if technical studies demonstrate that the existing building cannot be adequately rehabilitated does GEN-GOB support constructing a new market, and even then it argues that the new building should remain on the current site.

According to the environmental group, the rehabilitation option would be preferable from social, environmental and economic perspectives.

Concerns Over a Hypermarket

The proposed incorporation of a hypermarket has also drawn criticism.

GEN-GOB argues that a large commercial operator could undermine the traditional role of the market and put additional pressure on small food businesses.

The organisation believes the Mercat Nou should prioritise local and nearby products rather than become a larger commercial centre.

It is therefore asking for the hypermarket to be removed from the proposal and for a study to determine the actual parking needs of future market users.

Loss of Public Sports Facilities

Another major objection concerns the existing sports courts on the site where the new market is planned.

GEN-GOB argues that Ibiza should not lose publicly accessible sporting facilities in the centre of the city.

Instead, it believes the courts should be maintained, improved and, where possible, expanded.

The group's position is that the location next to Parc de la Pau is particularly appropriate for public recreational use and fits better with a healthier, more liveable urban model.

Archaeological Concerns

The proposed underground excavation has also raised concerns because of the site's proximity to Puig des Molins and areas with known archaeological remains.

The construction of three underground parking levels could require significant excavation, potentially uncovering previously unknown archaeological material.

GEN-GOB argues that this could complicate the project, increase costs and extend the construction timetable.

The group considers this another reason to investigate rehabilitation of the existing market before committing to a much larger new development.

Climate and Urban Environment

GEN-GOB also argues that the project's additional paved surfaces and increased vehicle activity could contribute to the urban heat-island effect.

The organisation is calling for greater consideration of climate adaptation, including more green and permeable areas.

Its broader argument is that Ibiza should prioritise walking, cycling, public transport and public green space rather than increasing dependence on private vehicles.

Residents Also Oppose the Relocation

GEN-GOB's objections come as a separate residents' campaign is gathering support against moving the market.

The platform "No al cambio de ubicación del Mercat Nou" has begun collecting signatures and is calling for the market to remain on its current site.

Residents have similarly raised concerns about traffic, parking and the loss of public space.

The parallel campaigns mean opposition to the proposed relocation is now coming from both an environmental organisation and a citizen platform.

Town Hall Still Reviewing the Project

The future Mercat Ciutat d'Eivissa remains in the public-exposure stage.

More than 30 individuals and organisations have already submitted contributions, according to Ibiza Town Hall, which says the proposals will be examined before the project advances through its administrative process.

The municipality's proposal is designed to create a larger and more modern market with improved accessibility, circulation, storage and complementary uses.

The debate is therefore increasingly focused not on whether Ibiza needs an updated market, but on where it should be located and what form that redevelopment should take.

A Larger Debate About Ibiza's City Centre

GEN-GOB's objections place the Mercat Nou project within a much broader discussion about the future of Ibiza Town.

The proposed development brings together questions over mobility, parking, public space, local commerce, climate resilience, archaeology and access to sporting facilities.

The organisation believes these priorities point towards rehabilitating the existing market rather than constructing a significantly larger complex elsewhere.

For now, the Town Hall's proposal remains under public review, with the final decision still to come.

The next stage will depend on how the administration evaluates the objections and proposals submitted during the current consultation period.