The special plan for the Torreviejas cemetery has been initially approved to guarantee its expansion over the next 20 years.

The Torrevieja City Council has given initial approval to the Special Cemetery Plan, an essential urban planning instrument to create land designated for urban services of a funerary nature and to guarantee the capacity of the municipal cemetery for the next 20 years.

The Councillor for Cemeteries, Sandra Sánchez, has pointed out that population growth and current space limitations make this expansion necessary to adequately meet the present and future needs of the city.

The area covered by the Special Plan has a total surface area of 16,834 square meters, located in a strip parallel to the N-332 road. It is an area where public and industrial uses predominate and where the municipal cemetery, the wastewater treatment plant and various infrastructures related to salt production are currently located.

Of the total area designated, 7,187 square meters will be allocated to public facilities for the expansion of the cemetery, while another 2,603 square meters will be reserved for the road network and parking areas. Additionally, 7,009 square meters will be designated as private facilities, intended for funerary uses complementary to the cemetery in its various categories.

SUFFICIENT CAPACITY FOR THE NEXT 20 YEARS

The planned land reserve will represent an approximate increase of between 20% and 25% of the current surface area, allowing the necessary space to accommodate the new burials planned for the next two decades.

This planning responds to the provisions of Decree 39/2005 of the Consell de la Generalitat, which determines that cemeteries must have a sufficient number of graves to cover the needs of the 20 years following their construction, in addition to available land to face their possible growth during the following 25 years.

Sandra Sánchez highlighted that “this action will allow us to anticipate the needs of a constantly growing city and guarantee the provision of an essential municipal service under appropriate conditions, with planning, safety and a vision for the future.”

NEW ROADS, PARKING AND URBAN SERVICES

The development of the area will include the works necessary for its complete urbanization, including the paving of the road, the creation of parking lots and sidewalks, the installation of public lighting and the conditioning of open spaces.

The electrical power distribution networks, drinking water supply, irrigation and fire protection systems will also be implemented, as well as the sanitation facilities, rainwater collection and the corresponding connections with existing networks.

The land will retain its current classification as ordinary non-developable land, in accordance with the current General Urban Development Plan (PGOU). The PGOU itself contemplates, within this category, the exceptional establishment of facilities of a predominantly public nature, including cemeteries, depending on their needs and purposes.

FAVORABLE ENVIRONMENTAL REPORTS AND NO CLAIMS

Sandra Sánchez explained that the project has a favorable Strategic Environmental and Territorial Assessment Resolution. Furthermore, no objections were submitted during the public consultation period for the Special Plan.

Regarding the possible impact on the N-332, the required sectoral report was requested on July 9, 2025. Since the legal period of three months has elapsed without a response from the State Administration, the regulations allow the processing of the Special Plan to continue.

However, the document expressly incorporates the obligation to respect the limitations on building capacity, encumbrances and easements that may arise from the future final project for the duplication of the N-332. These determinations must be considered subsequently in the urbanization and building projects.

The studies carried out also conclude that the area does not present environmental values incompatible with the implementation of funerary uses nor territorial risks or special limitations that prevent the development of the action.

MORE THAN 750 NICHES BUILT OR UNDER CONSTRUCTION SINCE 2022

The approval of the Special Plan complements the actions undertaken in recent years to increase the capacity of the municipal cemetery. In April 2022, the expansion works, adding 460 niches, were completed.

In addition, work began in February 2026 on the construction of 296 new niches, a project that is now in its final phase and is expected to be completed soon. Together, these two projects have added 756 niches.

However, the physical limitations of the current facilities necessitate broader planning to meet the needs of Torrevieja in the medium and long term.

Finally, the Councillor for Cemeteries stressed that “the Special Plan constitutes an action of undeniable public utility and social interest, which will provide a stable solution to the lack of space and improve the conditions in which this municipal service is provided.”

Following its initial approval by the Plenary, the document will continue its processing and will be sent to the competent regional body for its final approval.