Tensions between the Lopesan Group and the Gran Canaria Island Council have reached a new turning point following the work carried out in the Veneguera Ravine. The tourism corporation has expressed its displeasure after learning through the press that the island institution has forwarded several reports to the Nature Protection Service (Seprona) of the Civil Guard regarding the work performed in this area, a site of high environmental, scenic, and archaeological value, located within both the Nublo Rural Park and the island's Biosphere Reserve.
The core of the conflict lies in the way the Island Council has proceeded. The Lopesan Group maintains that it has not received any notification regarding the opening of new administrative proceedings, a situation which, in the company's view, violates its right to a hearing and to defend itself. The group regrets the lack of direct institutional channels to address these discrepancies, recalling its long-standing collaboration with the public administration and stating that transparency should be the sole framework for resolving any technical matter.
In response to the accusations, which include allegations of the supposed alteration and manipulation of five archaeological sites in the area, Lopesan has adopted a firm stance. The company emphasizes that the work carried out in Veneguera cannot be judged as a single, homogeneous whole. They argue that these are distinct projects with different objectives, processed through separate procedures, each with its own valid permits, licenses, and administrative authorizations.
Regarding the coastal restoration and naturalization plan, the company maintains that the work addresses the need to repair structural damage caused by Storm Therese and to reclaim a degraded area. They claim to have the express authorization of the Canary Islands Government's Directorate General of Coasts and Maritime Space Management. Furthermore, the work on the inland access road, which includes the construction of double-arched bridges, was designed according to specific technical criteria to ensure traffic safety and facilitate drainage of the ravine during torrential rain events. According to the company, this work has the necessary building permits granted by the Mogán City Council and the authorizations from the Gran Canaria Island Water Authority.
On the sensitive issue of historical heritage, Lopesan maintains that any debate on the matter should be framed within the existing specific administrative procedures, including the judicial sphere if necessary. They consider it inappropriate to present conclusions to the public before there are final rulings or before the company itself has had the opportunity to review the actual content of the reports submitted to Seprona (the Spanish Civil Guard's Nature Protection Service). This communication strategy, according to the group, hinders an objective clarification of the facts and could lead to inaccurate assessments of the projects' legality.
The Lopesan Group is committed to thoroughly analyzing the technical documentation once it is officially notified by the relevant authorities. Its intention is to provide all necessary documentation to dispel any doubts about its actions. The company reiterates its full confidence that the administrative and judicial procedures will ultimately confirm not only the legality of its interventions, but also the benefits they provide in terms of safety and environmental improvement for the agricultural property.
The company concludes by appealing to technical and legal rigor. They insist that the analysis of each file must be carried out respecting fundamental guarantees, allowing each action to be assessed according to the specific regulations applicable to it and the administrative record that supports it. While the Seprona (Nature Protection Service of the Civil Guard) studies the submitted reports, the Veneguera area remains a highly sensitive site where infrastructure development and the conservation of cultural and natural heritage clash, forcing both public administrations and private initiatives to carefully consider their actions in one of the most protected corners of southern Gran Canaria.
