The party denounces the neglect of the natural area, which has suffered four fires in the last year, and calls on the City Council to halt the construction of housing on an adjacent plot.
The deputy spokesperson for Con Málaga, Toni Morillas, visited Cerro de la Tortuga on Wednesday accompanied by members of the Neighbourhood Association to denounce the state of neglect affecting this green lung of the capital. The party has demanded that the PP government team urgently protect the area, which is home to protected species such as the common chameleon and centenary pines, and halt the construction of the so-called micro-apartments on an adjacent plot.
Four fires in a year
Morillas reminded that Cerro de la Tortuga has suffered four fires in the last year, the most recent just a week ago. "It is the neighbours who take care of the maintenance of this environment," the councillor pointed out, criticising the lack of municipal action in the face of fire risks. The party believes that the area should be integrated into a green belt that acts as a natural climate refuge for the city.
"The municipal government not only neglects maintenance but also intends to build housing just a few metres from this protected area," Morillas denounced. The plot in question, located on the hillside, is planned for the construction of micro-apartments, a housing model that Con Málaga rejects as it does not meet the real needs of the neighbourhood.
Residents tired of calling the fire brigade
Joaquín García, a member of the Cerro de la Tortuga Neighbourhood Association, explained that their main objective is to keep this green area intact. "We have been asking the City Council for years to clear the undergrowth and protect the space, but we receive no response," he lamented. Residents claim they have had to call the fire brigade repeatedly to extinguish small fires caused by the accumulation of dry vegetation.
Cerro de la Tortuga also has an archaeological site declared a Cultural Heritage Asset, which, according to Con Málaga, is virtually unknown to most Malagueños. The party proposes to extend the protection of the area and connect it through paths with the rest of the environment, creating a network of green spaces in the capital.
Meanwhile, residents continue to mobilise to prevent Cerro de la Tortuga from becoming a construction site. "We don’t want more concrete; we want this green lung that gives life to all of us to be respected," García concluded. A meeting with municipal representatives is scheduled for next week to address the situation.
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