Pollença town council has suspended new building licences in the Can Berenguer area — the roundabout and surroundings at the entrance to Pollença town on the road from the port — while it rewrites the planning rules for the zone.
Why the freeze
Mayor Martí March says the aim is to protect the particular character of the area, which is effectively the gateway to the town. It is home to long-established local businesses such as the textile workshop Teixits Vicens and the restaurant Mestre Paco.
The freeze was introduced partly in response to the purchase of land in the area by large supermarket chains, including Mercadona, with reports that others were also interested. The council wanted to avoid large, standardised commercial buildings changing the look of the town’s entrance.
New rules
The suspension has given the council time to update the municipal plan for Can Berenguer. The area was designated for “artisan industry” in 1990 — workshops and small businesses — and the new rules are intended to reinforce that character:
- Height limits to prevent bulky buildings.
- Rules on materials and on the type of activity allowed.
- Controls on signage and the external appearance of buildings.
- Protection of trees and vegetation, which must be kept or replaced to preserve the landscape.
Next steps
The council has approved the changes in an initial vote, and they are now open to public consultation, giving residents and businesses the chance to comment before the rules are finalised.
A wider debate
Pollença is not alone. Several Mallorcan towns have taken steps to limit large-scale commercial development at their entrances and on the edge of historic centres, seeking to balance residents’ demand for affordable shopping with the protection of local character and small businesses. In Pollença, a town that depends heavily on its image and on visitors drawn by its traditional architecture, the council has made clear which side of that balance it is prioritising at its front door.
