Babilonia residents reject coastal ruling as Guardamar mayor backs restoring the beach

The Constitutional Court ruling on the Valencian coastal law has prompted opposing reactions in Guardamar del Segura: affected Babilonia beach residents lament the decision, while mayor José Luis Sáez supports restoring the area.

The reactions reported on Friday 23 October follow the decision made public on Thursday, limiting regional protection where it interferes with state powers over public maritime and coastal land.

Association challenges the government’s response

Manuel López, spokesman for the Playa de Babilonia residents’ association, says those affected are “very saddened” and describes the protection they sought for their homes as a matter of “common sense”.

López argues that a reform of national legislation would have prevented this situation and accuses the central government of blocking it; this is the residents’ representative’s assessment of the dispute.

The spokesman identifies coastal erosion as the underlying problem and criticises what he describes as the government’s response of “throwing people out of their homes”.

Those affected also call on public authorities to fulfil their responsibilities for managing and maintaining the beaches.

Mayor supports restoring the surroundings

Socialist mayor José Luis Sáez has said he is “pleased” with the decision and defended the council’s aim of recovering this part of the beach as soon as possible.

Sáez recalls that the concessions expired in 2018 and that the ministry was already prepared then to recover the concession rights and restore the area, a position the council supported.

The mayor adds that, had the decision been to retain the homes, this should have been under conditions allowing the properties and their surroundings to be repaired.

What the ruling changes

The Constitutional Court recognises Valencia’s power to protect cultural, historical and ethnological values along its coastline, but establishes that this protection cannot limit the state’s powers over that land.

The ruling addresses Babilonia buildings subject to final court demolition orders awaiting enforcement; it neither sets a new demolition date nor strikes down the entire regional law.