Residents in the Cerro del Águila IV residential area of Torre del Mar are opposing the proposed construction of the new Cuesta del Visillo mortuary and have launched a campaign to collect signatures to express their emphatic rejection of the project.
The project has a budget of nearly €500,000 and the proposed site, close to the residential area, was originally intended for commercial premises.
The residents believe the project must be authorised by the Vélez-Málaga Council.
The Deputy Mayor of Torre del Mar, Manuel Rincón, believes the plot of land to be compatible with its proposed new use but has, for now, agreed to suspend further processing of the building licence until the issue is resolved.
The Councillor for Town Planning, Salvador Marín (UI), has said the City Council will make no decision until it reviews the legal arguments submitted by the residents, but points out that the current PGOU (from 1996) allows for the construction of a mortuary on the land.
The homeowners not only believe that the construction of a mortuary is not compatible with the stated ‘commercial use’ but also fear a detrimental effect on the value of their homes. They believe that no-one will want to buy a home next to a mortuary.