A new residents' association has been formed in Sant Antoni de Portmany to raise concerns about large-scale tourism and entertainment developments in areas where residents believe public infrastructure and essential services are inadequate. Its immediate focus includes the redevelopment of the former Stella Maris complex near Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta into the ZEST Hotel & Resort, a luxury project associated with the international electronic music brand Tomorrowland.
The initiative is being led by local resident Ignacio Llavador, who wants to give residents a stronger voice in decisions affecting their surroundings. The new organisation also intends to draw on the experience of residents in Illa Plana, who have organised a campaign against the proposed transformation of Hotel Ibiza Corso to accommodate Lío Ibiza.
New Association Wants Greater Protection for Residential Areas
The organisation, named the Asociación de Vecinos para el Desarrollo Sostenible y Ecológico de Sant Antoni, aims to prevent large tourism and entertainment developments from placing additional pressure on environmentally and socially sensitive areas without adequate public services.
According to its promoter, the initiative is intended to go beyond expressing dissatisfaction with individual developments. The association wants to examine whether there are legal grounds to challenge projects where residents believe planning decisions could lead to excessive pressure on local infrastructure and the surrounding environment.
The association has been registered in Palma and was awaiting the allocation of its tax identification number at the time of the report. It has also secured assistance from a specialist lawyer.
Llavador has said he intends to contact residents of Illa Plana to understand how they have organised their opposition to the Hotel Ibiza Corso project and whether their experience could provide useful legal and organisational guidance.
ZEST Hotel Development Raises Questions in Cala Gració
One of the main concerns prompting the new initiative is the redevelopment of the former Stella Maris holiday complex near Cala Gració and Cala Gracioneta.
The site is being transformed into the ZEST Hotel & Resort, a five-star development that combines accommodation, restaurants, bars, wellness facilities and private villas. The hotel's official website currently advertises an opening in April 2027.
The project has attracted particular attention because of its association with Tomorrowland, the internationally recognised electronic music brand. However, the exact nature and extent of the planned music and entertainment activities have not yet been fully explained publicly.
Residents in the nearby Stella Maris urbanisation have expressed interest in joining the new association. They have raised concerns about construction-related disruption, alleged breaches of local work regulations and the potential effects of future entertainment activities on the surrounding neighbourhood.
Llavador has also highlighted shortcomings in local infrastructure, including parking, street lighting, drainage and water services. The concern is that additional visitor activity could place further pressure on an area where residents already consider public provision inadequate.
Town Hall Has Acknowledged Uncertainty Over Tomorrowland Activities
Questions about the future entertainment programme at ZEST were also raised during a Sant Antoni Town Hall meeting in September 2026.
During the discussion, the municipal government acknowledged that it did not yet have full details of the activities planned in connection with Tomorrowland.
The council explained that the existing authorisation covered the hotel redevelopment, including additional accommodation units, a restaurant and swimming pool. It also referred to an authorised outdoor recreational activity area of 500 square metres, with specific sound limits.
According to the explanations given by the municipality, background music is subject to a limit of 65 decibels until 23:00, while the authorised outdoor recreational activity has a limit of 95 decibels. Any additional activities would have to comply with municipal planning regulations and obtain the necessary permissions.
The council also discussed the development's expected water consumption and traffic impact. Municipal representatives stated that the projected water demand was 250 cubic metres per day, which they said was equivalent to the consumption of the former Stella Maris complex. The project includes measures such as greywater reuse, rainwater collection and storage facilities.
These issues remain important points in the debate surrounding the resort's future operation, particularly as residents seek greater clarity about the scale of its entertainment offer.
Learning From the Residents' Campaign in Illa Plana
The new association is looking towards Illa Plana, where residents have been challenging the proposed transformation of Hotel Ibiza Corso to accommodate Lío Ibiza.
The neighbourhood's residents have organised legal and technical support to examine the planning process and raise concerns about the potential effects of the development.
Their objections include the area's restricted road access, existing infrastructure problems, construction disruption and the possible impact of a large entertainment venue. The residents' association has also questioned aspects of the planning documentation and the way the project was handled by the relevant administrations.
The campaign has become an example of organised neighbourhood opposition for residents in other parts of the island who are concerned about the relationship between tourism development, public infrastructure and quality of life.
Llavador wants to understand how the Illa Plana residents have approached their case and whether similar methods could be relevant to the situation around Cala Gració.
Tomorrowland Says It Wants to Maintain Dialogue With Residents
In response to concerns surrounding the project, Tomorrowland has acknowledged that a development of this nature can generate questions and inconvenience for nearby residents.
The company has expressed its intention to maintain transparent and constructive communication with the local community. It has also said it is preparing a meeting with residents to explain the project and answer their questions.
Tomorrowland has indicated that it plans to appoint a dedicated contact person and establish a direct communication channel through which residents can raise concerns, make suggestions and report potential problems.
The company has said it is open to criticism and believes dialogue and mutual respect are essential to achieving a positive relationship with the surrounding neighbourhood.
A Wider Debate About Tourism Development in Ibiza
The creation of the new Sant Antoni association reflects a wider discussion about the impact of large tourism and entertainment developments on established residential areas.
As Ibiza continues to attract investment in luxury accommodation and international entertainment brands, questions about infrastructure, water resources, traffic, noise and the involvement of local residents are becoming increasingly prominent.
For the residents behind the new initiative, the objective is to ensure that future developments take account of the capacity of their surroundings and the needs of the communities already living there.
The association now intends to build its organisation, establish contact with other neighbourhood groups and examine the legal options available to residents concerned about developments in their areas.