Another Ecopark dispute emerges in Alicante province

After SPI reported on the Ecoparc dispute in Moraira, readers got in touch about a remarkably similar controversy in Dolores. The lesson? Always do your location due diligence.

Last week SPI reported on an Ecopark dispute in Moraira, where local residents are challenging the location of a proposed Ecopark waste collection facility close to residential properties.

That article generated an interesting response.

Almost immediately, I was contacted by readers in Dolores, another municipality in Alicante province, who say they are facing a similar problem.

Residents raise concerns in Dolores

According to residents and property owners affected by the project, an Ecoparc is being constructed close to existing and planned housing developments. They stress that they are not opposed to recycling facilities in principle, but object to what they consider an inappropriate location and a lack of transparency during the planning process.

Among their concerns are the proximity of the facility to homes and residential plots, the impact on the surrounding area, and what they describe as inadequate consultation with affected residents before construction began.

The residents claim they only became fully aware of the project when a sign appeared on the site in October 2025 during a media visit. They argue that information about the project was difficult to obtain, and that they had to pursue various administrative channels, including complaints to the Ombudsman, to gain access to documentation.

The dispute has become sufficiently serious that one housing development project in the area has reportedly been put on hold because of concerns about the Ecoparc’s location. Residents say the issue has generated petitions, protests, council meeting confrontations and legal actions.

The other side of the argument

As with the Moraira case, there is more than one side to the story. Local authorities argue that modern Ecoparcs are necessary public infrastructure that improve recycling services, reduce illegal dumping and provide an important amenity for residents. Supporters also point out that every municipality needs waste management facilities somewhere.

The purpose of highlighting these disputes is not to take sides. The courts, local authorities and ultimately voters will decide whether these projects have been handled appropriately.

A broader lesson for buyers

The real lesson is something different.

When SPI published the Moraira story, I assumed it was an isolated local controversy. Within days, readers alerted me to a similar dispute elsewhere in the same province. That immediately raises an obvious question: how many other planning disputes, infrastructure projects, development proposals and neighbourhood controversies are unfolding around Spain without appearing on the radar of potential buyers?

A buyer considering a property in one of these areas today might decide the concerns are justified. Equally, they might conclude that the facilities will have little impact once operational. Some may choose to proceed, while others may prefer to wait until the situation is resolved.

All of those decisions are reasonable.

Why due diligence matters

What is not reasonable is making a six or seven-figure property decision without even knowing the issue exists.

This is exactly why location due diligence matters.

In the age of AI, investigating a location has become dramatically easier than in the days of endless Google searches. Local news reports, planning disputes, council decisions, neighbourhood campaigns, environmental concerns and infrastructure projects can often be identified in minutes rather than days.

No due diligence process can eliminate every risk. But it can help ensure that buyers and sellers are not caught by surprise.

The Moraira and Dolores disputes may ultimately have very different outcomes. But together they illustrate an important point: what matters is not just the property you buy, but also what is happening around it.

Before buying property in Spain, every buyer should carry out proper location due diligence.

SPI’s guide to location due diligence explains how.