Environment

Britons and Europeans face eviction amid Tenerife housing crisis and contested resort plans

Monday, 2 June 2025 12:12AM UTC

Encampments near Costa Adeje reveal the harsh realities for Britons and other Europeans priced out of Tenerife’s housing market, caught between soaring Airbnb rents, legal uncertainty, and a fierce battle over the controversial Cuna del Alma resort development threatening local heritage and livelihoods.

The unfolding saga in Tenerife highlights the struggles faced by many individuals who have sought a better life in Spain, particularly after the traumatic upheavals of the Covid-19 pandemic. The encampment, often referred to derogatorily as a ‘shanty town’, is in stark contrast to the luxury hotels that dot the landscape of Costa Adeje, just minutes away from the opulent resorts that cater to tourists. Increasingly, Europeans, including many from the UK, find themselves caught in a cycle of financial instability, exacerbated by a surge in short-term rental properties that have driven up local housing prices, leaving them with few alternatives.

The environment surrounding the encampment is reflective of broader tensions in the region. On one hand, the local government advocates for developments like the controversial Cuna del Alma macro-resort, arguing that such projects will stimulate economic growth and job creation. Conversely, a burgeoning movement of ‘anti-tourism’ activists fiercely opposes these developments, asserting that they contribute to environmental degradation and exacerbate housing shortages. This discord has escalated to violent confrontations, underscored by not only the destruction of archaeological sites but also acts of vandalism against construction equipment, raising serious questions about the management of such projects.

Among the residents of the encampment is Sharon, a 63-year-old British mother of two. Her story illustrates the daily challenges that have driven many to seek refuge in this community. After being ensnared in a rental scam and subsequently left homeless after the landlord refused to return her deposits, Sharon found refuge in a campervan. She now shares her story of resilience; her makeshift home is crafted from repurposed materials with solar power, where she cultivates her own vegetables and produces herbal remedies. “We do love living here, it is a beautiful place, but almost none of us are here by choice,” she expressed, revealing the harsh realities behind her choice to live in the encampment.

Indeed, many residents share similar stories of hardship. The rising cost of living, accelerated by rampant Airbnb-style rentals, has rendered traditional housing unaffordable. With local estate agents demanding several months' rent upfront—a practice deemed illegal yet widely unregulated—individuals are left with fewer viable options. The encampment has become a temporary haven for various nationalities, including Italians, Germans, and Poles, all grappling with the same financial difficulties that have brought them to this corner of Spain.

Simultaneously, the Cuna del Alma project has galvanised public response, with over 50,000 individuals signing a petition against its construction. Critics argue that it threatens protected species and natural habitats, clashing with local conservation efforts. In fact, the implications of such developments extend beyond just immediate environmental concerns; they challenge the sustainability of the local community, raising alarms about the potential loss of both cultural and ecological heritage. The European Commission has even opened a preliminary investigation, reflecting the urgency of these issues on a wider legislative scale.

The encampment's existence, while technically illegal, receives a degree of tacit acceptance from authorities so long as order is maintained. However, uncertainty looms large over the residents' future as construction on the Cuna del Alma continues apace, leading many to fear the very real possibility of eviction. Sharon articulated this anxiety, stating, “I do feel a bit more stable here but there’s still that worry that we might not have somewhere to live.”

Tensions between residents, local authorities, and developers are compounded by incidents of clashes between eco-activists and security forces, indicating that the situation is a microcosm of a larger debate surrounding tourism, environmental conservation, and housing in Spain. The ramifications of the choices made today will echo through the lives of both the encampment’s inhabitants and the broader community for years to come, laying bare the urgent need for solutions that balance growth with sustainability and affordability.

As the quest for a comfortable life continues to be sidelined by economic pressures, the community's response to these challenges will be pivotal in shaping the future of Tenerife, not only for its residents but for the environment that sustains them.

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Source: Noah Wire Services

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https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-14764743/The-Brits-left-home-dream-life-Spain-left-penniless-living-shanty-town-changing-facts-life-sun.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490 - Please view link - unable to able to access data
https://www.canarianweekly.com/posts/Over-50,000-people-sign-petition-to-stop-the-construction-of-Cuna-del-Alma-in-Adeje - Over 50,000 individuals have signed a petition urging authorities to halt the construction of the Cuna del Alma luxury tourism project in Puertito de Adeje, Tenerife. Critics argue that the proposed 420-villa complex, covering 437,000 square metres, poses a severe threat to protected species and habitats in the area, as well as violating European environmental regulations. The petition highlights the project's impact on the surrounding natural areas, including the Special Conservation Zone (ZEC) Franja Marina Teno-Rasca. Environmental activists assert that the development contravenes Article 6.3 of the EU Habitats Directive, which prohibits projects that could significantly affect protected ecological sites.
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Tenerife
housing crisis
Cuna del Alma
tourism
environmental protests
UK expats