The Consell de Formentera has held a working meeting with property owners affected by coastal boundary demarcations to discuss proposed changes to Spain's Costas legislation and regulations.

The meeting took place on Friday, September 25, at the request of national MP José Vicente Marí Bosó and Balearic senator Miquel Jerez. Formentera Council president Óscar Portas and the institution's three vice-presidents, Verónica Castelló, Javier Serra and Hugo Martínez, also took part.

The discussions focused particularly on the parliamentary proposal to modify Law 22/1988 on Coastal Areas, as well as a separate proposed modification of the General Coastal Regulations.

A Long-Running Issue for Formentera

The meeting brought together the island administration, representatives of affected property owners and the two Popular Party representatives to review concerns arising from coastal boundary demarcations.

The affected owners were able to present their concerns directly regarding the legislative changes currently being processed and identify provisions they believe should be reviewed.

Marí Bosó said the affected owners' demands have been known for some time and that the next step is to work together to seek concrete solutions. Jerez also highlighted what he described as Formentera's specific circumstances and the need to consider property rights and economic activities alongside coastal protection. These are political positions expressed by the two representatives, rather than changes already made to the law.

Formentera Wants Its Specific Circumstances Considered

Portas said the Consell's intention was to bring together issues that have been discussed separately with the different parties and continue working on a common position.

He said any modification of the Costas regulations should take into account Formentera's particular circumstances and provide greater legal certainty for affected residents.

The Consell has said it believes changes should be based on objective, transparent and proportionate technical criteria while taking into account the island's physical and geographical characteristics.

Work on the General Coastal Regulations

The meeting also forms part of the Consell's work on a proposed modification of Spain's General Coastal Regulations.

The island government has already presented a technical and legal report to the Mesa del Litoral to support its objections to the proposed state regulation.

The Mesa del Litoral includes the Platform of People Affected by Coastal Demarcation and representatives of the opposition. Its work is intended to gather different contributions and help define Formentera's position on the proposed changes.

The national Ministry for the Ecological Transition opened the proposed amendment to the General Coastal Regulations to public consultation in 2026. The procedure was later extended, with the public-information period running until April 15. The proposal concerns changes to the regulatory framework governing coastal public-domain concessions and other matters under the General Coastal Regulations.

A Separate Balearic Coastal Law

Formentera is also participating in the process surrounding a future Balearic law on the organisation, protection and integrated management of the coastline.

The Consell has submitted its own observations to that proposed legislation, seeking to ensure that the particular circumstances of Formentera are taken into account.

This is separate from the proposed amendment to Spain's national Costas law and the proposed modification of the General Coastal Regulations.

What Happens Next

The meeting does not itself change the legal status of the properties affected by coastal demarcations.

Instead, it forms part of an ongoing process involving proposed changes to national and regional coastal legislation, the preparation of institutional submissions and discussions with affected owners.

The Consell says it will continue to maintain contact with the affected residents and monitor the different legislative processes that could affect Formentera's coastline.

For now, the main issue remains under discussion at several administrative and legislative levels, with no new legal settlement for the affected properties resulting directly from Friday's meeting.