Formentera has approved two urban-planning agreements that will help secure additional public space in El Pilar de la Mola and Es Caló de Sant Agustí, including plans to create an approximately 2,300-square-metre public area in front of La Mola's historic church.
The agreements were approved during the ordinary plenary session of the Consell Insular de Formentera on 29 October 2026. One concerns the reorganisation of land surrounding the church in La Mola, while the second will formalise the transfer of the Plaça del Delme in Es Caló, an area currently used as a public car park.
The decisions form part of the island administration's ongoing work to obtain land for public use, protect areas of heritage value and improve the availability of shared spaces for residents and visitors.
A Larger Public Plaza Planned in Front of La Mola Church
The main development concerns the area immediately in front of the church of El Pilar de la Mola.
Under the existing Island Territorial Plan (PTI), construction of a building was permitted on a plot directly opposite the church. The newly approved urban-planning agreement proposes relocating the permitted building capacity to a less prominent area within the same planning unit.
This would leave the land directly facing the church free from future construction and allow it to be transferred to the Consell as public open space.
The proposed arrangement does not increase the total permitted building capacity or the number of homes. Instead, it redistributes the existing development rights within the same planning area.
One of the most significant results will be an increase in the planned public green area, from 727 square metres to 1,548 square metres.
This represents an additional 821 square metres.
Combined with the existing surrounding public spaces, the resulting area in front of the church would measure approximately 2,300 square metres, excluding the road.
For comparison, the square in front of the church of Sant Francesc is approximately 1,000 square metres.
Protecting the Church and Creating Space for Community Activities
The reorganisation is intended to protect the heritage setting of the church while providing La Mola with a larger central gathering space.
The expanded area could eventually accommodate facilities such as a centrally located children's playground, local celebrations and cultural activities.
It could also reduce the need to close the main road during certain community events by providing a larger dedicated public space.
Second Vice-President of the Consell, Javier Serra, described the agreement as an opportunity to protect the surroundings of the church and respond to a longstanding request from local residents.
The proposal initially received approval in July 2026 and subsequently completed its public consultation period without receiving objections. It also obtained a favourable report from the Technical Advisory Commission in recognition of the area's heritage significance.
However, further planning work remains necessary. The reorganisation must be incorporated into the Island Territorial Plan through a corresponding modification, which will need to return to the plenary session for approval.
Plaça del Delme in Es Caló to Become Public Property
The second agreement concerns the Plaça del Delme in Es Caló de Sant Agustí.
The area is currently used as a car park by residents and visitors. The approved urban-planning agreement will regularise its boundaries and formalise the transfer of the land to the Consell Insular de Formentera.
Following the subsequent signing of the agreement, the space will become formally part of the island administration's public property.
The measure addresses a longstanding administrative issue involving land that already serves a public purpose but whose ownership and boundaries require formal regularisation.
Javier Serra said the agreements form part of the administration's work to secure land that should be publicly accessible and ensure that Formentera has sufficient spaces to meet present and future community needs.
Both Agreements Approved with Opposition Abstentions
The two urban-planning agreements received support from the Sa Unió governing team and non-attached councillor Llorenç Córdoba.
The opposition groups, Gent per Formentera and PSIB-PSOE, abstained.
Both proposals had previously appeared on the agenda of an earlier plenary session but were withdrawn by the governing team to give opposition councillors additional time to examine the details.
Formentera Also Approves Measures to Prevent Flooding
The plenary session also approved several proposals introduced by opposition groups, including a unanimous agreement to develop a preventive plan identifying vulnerable locations across the island's road network and public buildings during periods of heavy rainfall and flooding.
The proposal, presented by PSIB-PSOE, calls for a map of critical points, preventive and corrective measures, and a maintenance schedule.
Councillors from all groups also recognised the work of emergency services and personnel involved in responding to recent flooding, including firefighters, Local Police, Civil Protection, the Guardia Civil, the Emergency Directorate-General, the Military Emergency Unit and Consell staff.
Another approved measure concerns a privately owned plot belonging to Telefónica/Movistar near the school area in Sant Francesc, alongside the Sala de Cultura. The company will be formally requested to clean and maintain the property. If it does not act within one month, the Consell intends to initiate a procedure allowing the administration to carry out the work itself and charge the costs to the responsible company.
Faro de La Mola and Estany des Peix Also Discussed
The meeting also addressed the future of the Faro de La Mola and the management of Estany des Peix following proposals from Gent per Formentera.
Regarding the lighthouse, the administration reiterated its intention to restore its cultural use and reopen it to visitors once the vacant staff position has been filled and the necessary conditions are in place.
The temporary closure has been attributed primarily to a lack of personnel, alongside disruption caused by works to install the State's Integrated External Surveillance System (SIVE).
For Estany des Peix, councillors agreed to continue improvements to the facilities, boat-access services and the regulatory framework governing recreational use of the area.
The administration also intends to maintain dialogue with the Estany des Peix Recreational Users Association while addressing maintenance, safety and environmental protection.
The plenary session concluded with a report from First Vice-President Verónica Castelló on the management of the departments under her responsibility.