The long-awaited El Mojón Partial Plan has taken a decisive step toward becoming a reality. After decades of planning, the urbanization works have now been partially accepted, opening the door to the first housing licenses in what will become a new city in the municipality of Arona.
Scale of the Project
The El Mojón development, originally approved in 1996 by the Canary Islands Commission for Land Use and the Environment (COTMAC), will cover an impressive 972,000 square meters of land between Los Cristianos, Chayofa, and the Hospital del Sur.
- Residential and tourism use: 60% of the land will be dedicated to housing and 40% to tourism, with a capacity for 9,000 beds.
- Public spaces: 390,000 square meters of public land are included, with two parks of 26,000 m² each, plus areas for schools (11,000 m²), sports (15,000 m²), and culture (17,000 m²).
- Infrastructure: The plan reserves 245,000 m² for roads, intended to strengthen mobility and improve access to the port.
The economic impact is equally ambitious: €2 billion in direct investment, with up to €8 billion in indirect investment, and the creation of 4,000 jobs linked to construction and operation.
A Historic Moment for Arona
At a signing ceremony in the plenary hall of Arona Town Hall, Mayor Fátima Lemes described the event as “a historic moment,” stressing that the project “is no longer just an idea, but a reality that will change the municipality.” She highlighted the importance of balancing growth with mobility solutions, pedestrian access, and the reinforcement of public services.
Urban Planning Councilor Javier Baute recalled the work of the late Manolo Barrios, calling him “the father of the partial plan.” He emphasized the complexity of the “macro files” involved and underlined that the plan will benefit not only the large-scale economy but also small and medium-sized businesses. While acknowledging that “problems will arise, especially in terms of mobility,” he assured that technical solutions are already being explored.
Public-Private Collaboration
The president of the El Mojón Compensation Board, Miguel Villarroya, highlighted the collaboration between the public and private sectors, thanking all parties for their long-term efforts. He reiterated that “this plan is not new,” but the result of decades of work and negotiation.
Next Steps: First Licenses by Year-End
Following the partial acceptance of the urbanization works, the council announced that applications already submitted and those to come will be reviewed, paving the way for the first building permits to be granted before the end of the year.
The plan had been stalled for years but was unblocked on 19 February 2024 with an agreement between the Arona City Council and the Compensation Board. This ensured pedestrian and vehicular connections between the eastern and western zones of the sector and the official reception of the T4 El Mojón Partial Plan works, in line with the resolution issued on 1 August 2025.
Outlook
With construction of the first homes about to begin, El Mojón is poised to become one of Tenerife’s largest urban developments in decades, consolidating Arona as a benchmark in the Canary Islands. In the words of Mayor Lemes, “In a few years’ time, we will look back and remember this moment as the beginning of a new stage for our municipality.”
