The Provincial Coastal Service has begun the administrative process to demolish the majority of homes located on Babilonia Beach in Guardamar del Segura. Local authorities and resident associations confirmed this action follows the rejection of legal appeals from residents seeking to maintain their properties, which have stood since the early twentieth century. The Constitutional Court dismissed their final appeal late last year.

These homes were meant to have their concessions renewed, but the Ministry for Ecological Transition cited environmental concerns, asserting that the houses hinder the natural regeneration of the coastal system. With many homes already collapsed or demolished after previous appeals failed, the Coastal Service may commence demolitions as early as May this year, potentially impacting over seventy structures.

Residents have indicated they will pursue new legal avenues, arguing that their properties comply with legislation allowing for extensions of maritime-terrestrial concessions. They contend that poor coastal management, rather than their homes, has contributed to beach erosion. Some residents have also claimed that important technical reports that could support their case have been ignored by authorities.

As uncertainty looms, local residents are organizing to manage potential demolition costs, proposing to band together in treating the economic impacts. Their lawyer has warned that if the government agency Tragsa handles the demolitions, the costs could rise significantly, stressing the importance of coordinating their response as the timeline for demolitions remains unclear.