What the Moraira ecopark dispute tells us about location due diligence for buyers

A dispute over plans for a new ecopark waste collection facility in a residential area of Moraira on the Costa Blanca highlights an important lesson for anyone buying or selling property in Spain: location due diligence matters.

A group of local residents has launched legal action in an attempt to halt the project, arguing that the proposed facility is too close to homes and could negatively affect quality of life in the surrounding area. Residents have raised concerns about construction disruption, traffic, noise, waste handling activities and the potential impact on nearby properties. The dispute has become particularly contentious because some homes are located very close to the proposed site.

For homeowners living nearby, the uncertainty is understandably difficult. Even before the courts have ruled, the debate itself has become a source of concern for some residents who fear the project could alter the character of their neighbourhood.

However, there is more than one side to the story.

According to local press reports, Teulada-Moraira Council argues that the facility (el ecoparque de la calle Oviedo) will improve local recycling services, reduce illegal dumping and provide an important public amenity for residents and visitors. The council reportedly maintains that the location is technically suitable for the necessary infrastructure and that the facility has been designed to operate without causing significant nuisance to neighbouring properties.

The courts will ultimately decide whether the project can proceed, but from a property perspective the case highlights a broader issue. Buyers considering a property in the immediate vicinity of the project today face a decision. They may conclude that the residents’ concerns are justified. Equally, they may conclude that the council’s assessment is correct and that the facility will have little impact once operational.

Some buyers might proceed without hesitation. Others might prefer to wait until the legal challenge has been resolved. Both positions are perfectly reasonable.

The key point is that buyers can only make an informed decision if they know the issue exists in the first place.

Location due diligence is crucial for buyers

This is where location due diligence comes in.

Many buyers focus on the property itself—its condition, legal paperwork, taxes and ownership history. Yet factors outside the property can sometimes have an equal or greater impact on future enjoyment, marketability and value. Planning disputes, infrastructure projects, proposed developments, environmental concerns and local political controversies can all shape how an area evolves over time.

The good news is that carrying out this type of research has become far easier in the age of AI. In the past, uncovering local issues often required hours of searching through newspapers, planning documents and local forums. Today, modern AI tools can rapidly scan multiple information sources and help identify issues that may deserve further investigation.

No due diligence process can eliminate uncertainty, but it can help buyers and sellers avoid being caught by surprise.

The Moraira Ecoparc dispute is a reminder that understanding a property means understanding its surroundings as well. Whether buying, selling or simply keeping an eye on your local market, it pays to know what is happening beyond the garden fence.

For readers who want to learn more, SPI’s guide to location due diligence explains how to investigate local issues, planning risks and neighbourhood factors before making a property decision.

Anti-ecopark bigger picture

Whatever the eventual outcome in Moraira, the residents behind the legal challenge argue that the dispute raises issues that extend well beyond a single neighbourhood. They say it touches on wider questions of transparency, public consultation, and the ability of local communities to influence decisions that affect their health, safety and quality of life.

As one resident put it: “Today it is our neighbourhood. Tomorrow it could be any other.”

The group is currently raising funds to help cover legal and court costs. Anyone wishing to support
their campaign can contribute here.

Further information is available via the residents’ Facebook group page here.