Antonio Acosta, Director General of Coasts and Management of the Maritime Space of the Canary Islands, highlighted the social value of the municipal swimming pool in Los Silos following the judicial resolution that annuls the State's decision to deny the City Council the concession for its occupation, use, and management. The facility has been closed since 2019.
The ruling, dated October 6, recognizes the importance of this space as a leisure area for the municipality's residents and its historical connection to the coast of northern Tenerife. It allows the City Council to initiate procedures to regularize the facility's situation, although the decision is not final and can be appealed.
Acosta pointed out that the geographical characteristics of a large part of the Canary Islands' coastline make access to the sea difficult, making certain coastal enclaves play a relevant role in facilitating it safely, especially for the elderly and children.
He advocated for balancing the environmental and heritage protection of the coast with the maintenance of traditional social uses, considering safety criteria and the population's needs. He also emphasized the importance of preserving spaces that are part of the identity and historical relationship of the Canary municipalities with the sea.
The municipal pool of Los Silos occupies over 6,000 square meters of public maritime-terrestrial domain. The National High Court ruling annulled the state decision made in 2022, allowing the City Council to begin the regularization process.
Acosta recalled that the State had already received an unfavorable ruling in a similar case in Candelaria but chose to appeal. "Now, we trust that the Government of Spain will definitively accept this new decision by the National High Court regarding the Los Silos pool," he added.
Finally, the Director General reiterated the importance of respecting Canarias's competencies in coastal matters and advocated for dialogue and consensus to advance in the management and protection of the Canary coastline.
