The Generalitat Valenciana has issued an administrative simplification decree that tightens coastal hotel development rules, reducing the permissible footprint from 500 meters to 100 meters from the shoreline. The change appears in the official publication of the Diari Oficial de la Generalitat Valenciana (DOGV) and is set to take effect the next day.
The plan, commonly known as Plan Simplifica, requires urgent implementation of specific urban planning updates. The decree introduces a modification to the Estrategia Territorial de la Comunitat Valenciana (ETCV), within the guidelines that shape urban planning and have been in force since 2011. This initiative traces back to the previous administration and signals a shift in how seaside zones are governed by incorporating certain direct-application rules into coastal lands.
As a result, through this decree, the law governing territorial planning, urbanism, and landscape (Lotup) is amended to permit tertiary, public, or private uses on non-urbanizable coastlands tied to camping, outdoor activities, or nautical sports and related facilities. The reform broadens opportunities for these uses on coastal lands previously restricted, reflecting a broader reconsideration of coastal space utilization.
In the update of Article 210 of Lotup, the language concerning coastal tertiary developments specifies that such establishments cannot be located closer than 100 meters, measured horizontally from the inland riverbank boundary. They must also comply with coastal and shoreline regulations, as well as the stipulations arising from territorial and urban planning schemes.
The coastal law currently under preparation by the Generalitat already contemplated reducing the hotel authorization distance from 500 meters to 200 meters along the shoreline. The new legal text, presented by the department led by Salomé Pradas, also allows hotel facilities on non-urbanizable land on the first coastal line provided that the buildings dedicated to this use are situated beyond the first 200 meters. It is worth noting that the existing Pativel framework permits hotel and care-related uses or camping developments, but with quality project requirements, ecological certification, and a maximum site occupancy of 10 percent, and only at distances beyond 500 meters from the coast.
Early responses from the opposition emerged quickly after the changes became public. Maria José Salvador, a former minister responsible for Territorial Connectivity and a spokesperson for the PSPV in the Corts, criticized the changes as being introduced through the back door in an omnibus decree that ends the Pativel so that the PP can return to its traditional urbanism model.
Salvador further argued that the coastal urban planning approach, which reduces the distance to 100 meters for tertiary development along the coast, represents a dangerous turn. She described the measure and its execution as an affront to sustainable development and climate action, suggesting that the policy shifts signal a renewed focus on coastal expansion at odds with long-term environmental goals.
Observers note a broader trend toward redefining coastal land use as legislation progresses, balancing economic interests with environmental safeguards. The adjustments open pathways for certain hotel and tourism ventures in coastal areas while imposing clear spatial constraints designed to protect vulnerable shorelines. The dialogue surrounding these changes reflects tension between promoting economic activity in popular seaside regions and preserving natural coastlines for future generations. The government maintains that these measures aim to streamline planning, reduce red tape, and enable targeted development that aligns with broader territorial strategies and coastal management objectives. Meanwhile, stakeholders continue to scrutinize potential impacts on coastal ecosystems, public access, and long-term resilience in the face of climate-related risks.
[citation 1] The developments are being monitored by regional authorities to ensure alignment with climate goals and sustainable coastal management practices. [citation 2] Public comments from local communities and industry stakeholders are being weighed to balance economic needs with environmental safeguards.