La Seu d'Urgell okays land for elderly residence and 100 affordable flats as hospital lags

The city council of la Seu d'Urgell unanimously approved the transfer of about 6,500 square metres in the Horta del Valira to the Department of Social Rights for the construction of a residence for older people. The council said it expects the facility to be able to open its doors in 2028.

Councillors also gave unanimous support to the transfer of a second plot, approved at the HiULS board prior to the plenary, for the development of protected housing. Combined with a parcel already owned by public land agency Incasòl, the sites will make it possible to build around 100 public rental flats intended for affordable housing, which the council aims to complete within three years.

Mayor Joan Barrera described the moves as a major step toward meeting two of the administration's principal objectives. He highlighted the elderly residence as a long‑standing city aspiration.

By contrast, the project for a new district hospital is progressing more slowly. An executive project for the hospital has not yet been finalised, and the only land transfer approved at the plenary was for a small plot in the Horta del Valira to be used for mental health services rather than the hospital itself.

Barrera acknowledged that the hospital project still has "a way to go" and committed to continue pressing for the executive project to be prepared next year. He also said he would seek a meeting with regional Health Minister Olga Pané to request that construction of the health facility be made a government priority.