According to the platform, the project would have destroyed the last green lung of Benissa’s coast. Credit: Espencat / Creative Commons
The protection of Benissa’s coastline finally had a name: “Salvem el nostre litoral: STOP Patmore”. Aiming to halt the planned development at Tossal de l’Asprar, the new platform held an open informational meeting for all residents on November in the Aula del Mar, located in Benissa’s Tourist Office.
The first gathering publicly introduced the movement and outlined planned actions to stop the Patmore development, which included ten houses and a luxury hotel.
New platform formed to protect Benissa’s coastline
According to the platform, the project would have destroyed the last green lung of Benissa’s coast and represented another attack on an area of high environmental and scenic value.
The group criticised the project for being “pushed forward with the complicity or inaction of Benissa’s government (PP)”, despite the town council unanimously approving in May 2025 a motion urging the Generalitat Valenciana to publicly acquire Tossal de l’Asprar to guarantee its preservation. The platform called for strong community participation to demand a clear and urgent institutional response.
Residents urged to oppose luxury Patmore project
“This starts with preventing the destruction of our coast, our wildlife, and our landscapes. We cannot allow speculation to wipe out what still belongs to everyone,” the platform added.
During the meeting, attendees were presented with details of the Patmore project, its potential legal and environmental consequences, and proposals for community mobilisation to protect the area.
Environmental concerns raised over development
Opposition parties Compromís Benissa, CIBE, Reiniciem Benissa, and PSOE-PSPV supported the initiative, sharing the event poster on social media and confirming their attendance to meet with residents.
Jose Antonio said to Euro Weekly News: “Neus, the excuse of ‘investment’ no longer holds.”
Opposition parties join forces with local movement
Another resident added: “Enough! Benissa has enough luxury homes already – Magraner, Racó de Galeno… Is there enough water? Are the sewage systems ready? Are local builders from Benissa, Moraira, or Calpe carrying out the project? Probably not. Big developers do it quickly.”
Salvem el nostre litoral stressed that the meeting marked the first step of a “broad, cross-cutting, and peaceful movement to protect the future of Benissa’s coastline and make it clear the coast is not for sale.”
Mayor calls for meeting to explore alternatives
Meanwhile, at the most recent council meeting, Benissa mayor Arturo Poquet (PP) proposed that opposition parties and local groups meet with officials from the Conselleria de Territorio to explore alternatives and clarify legal questions surrounding the development project.