Andorra parishes propose annual construction quotas and stronger communal powers in Land Law reform

The consuls of Andorra’s seven parishes presented a joint package of proposals to the General Council commission revising the Land Law (LOGTU), seeking tools to moderate development, strengthen communal powers and improve coordination between local and national planning.

Their flagship measure is a system of annual construction quotas modelled on the Massana parish scheme introduced in June 2024. Massana’s cònsol major, Eva Sansa, described a two‑stage mechanism: an initial decree sets maximum project surface quotas and a later adjustment decree aligns allocations with actual built surface to simplify administration. Communal officials say the measure helped Massana reduce construction activity by about 59.5% over the past year. They argue quotas would prevent sudden spikes, give the market predictability, better match communal infrastructure investment to development and limit private booms that can delay public works.

The consuls proposed expanding communal powers over land transactions and project prioritisation. Proposals include explicit tempteig (pre‑emption) and retracte (retraction) rights so communes can prioritise purchases for public housing, protect cultural or natural assets and curb speculation. They also propose a formal “project of parish interest” status to fast‑track initiatives that a commune deems a priority, allowing local authorities to accelerate social housing, public facilities or essential infrastructure.

To improve planning coherence and reduce regulatory uncertainty, the package calls for simplification of land classifications—one proposal would reduce categories to three—and clearer rules on when elements such as roads are “urbanising” (costs borne by promoters) versus cases where land must be ceded to the State. The consuls want mandatory load‑capacity studies to assess whether existing infrastructure can absorb new development and stronger alignment between communal and national planning instruments. Andorra la Vella’s cònsol major, Sergi González, urged compulsory, periodic sectoral plans covering transport, green networks, energy and health with binding communal input, arguing that uneven rollout of such plans hampers local decision‑making.

Waste management and site‑infrastructure were prominent in the proposals. The consuls advocate consolidating towards a single operational landfill supported by transfer centres and identified Maià as the likeliest candidate. They provided capacity figures: Maià’s remaining capacity is about 468,480.54 cubic metres, of which roughly 164,673.72 cubic metres are already reserved, leaving an estimated useful life of six to ten years if flows are controlled. Vehicle‑flow figures cited were: Maià about 30–55 truck trips daily between May and November; Beixalís roughly 155 vehicle movements per day year‑round; and La Rabassa about 5–7 trucks from September to June. The communes urged design and construction rules to minimise excavation waste and require reuse measures to extend landfill life.

Enforcement and dispute‑resolution measures form a central pillar of the package. The consuls called for tougher sanctions—arguing the current maximum fine of €50,000 is insufficient as a deterrent for large developers—longer prescription periods for infractions, powers to compel demolition of unsafe or illegal works, and a dedicated judicial channel or preferential court track for urban‑planning cases. They also proposed procedural steps to better align private project calendars with communal investment cycles so public works are not sidelined by development booms.

The seven consuls framed the proposals as a single national project and stressed different measures follow different legal routes: some would require LOGTU amendments, others could be enacted through procedural rules, building regulations or secondary norms. Jordi Alcobé, cònsol major of Canillo, asked for practical, reactive instruments capable of producing measurable effects within a year; the consuls said parts of the programme could be implemented as soon as next year and signalled openness to combining legislative and regulatory solutions.

The Government said it takes communal concerns seriously but disputed some characterisations. Executive spokesman Guillem Casal said the Government has submitted the sectoral plans required by law and described the consuls’ worries about missing plans as a “misunderstanding.” He added that the forthcoming urbanism reform will clarify responsibilities so private owners do not assume costs for infrastructure the Government does not intend to execute. Casal acknowledged the law could be modified where appropriate and that some proposals could be implemented by regulation.

The consuls said they remain open to a mix of legislative and regulatory measures and pressed for swift, coordinated action to avoid repeating tensions between rapid private construction and the pace of communal investment and public works.