Fuengirola has given initial approval to the Estudio de Detalle for the Cerro del Agua sector, paving the way for up to 300 homes, including 111 affordable units. The plan now enters a 20-day public consultation period.
The future residential neighborhood in Fuengirola's Cerro del Agua area took a significant step forward this month as the local government approved the detailed study that will shape its development. The Junta de Gobierno Local gave initial approval to the Estudio de Detalle on June 15, 2026, a document that defines the building volumes and layout for the SUNC-13 sector.
The plan, promoted by developer AGP Real Estate 6, S.L., sets a maximum of 300 homes, of which 111 will be designated as VPO (Vivienda de Protección Oficial), or affordable housing. The remaining units will be market-rate homes. The approval triggers a 20-day public consultation period following publication in the official provincial bulletin, allowing residents and stakeholders to submit objections or suggestions.
The distribution of homes across several parcels reflects the site's topographical and regulatory constraints. The largest parcel, number 2, will accommodate 169 homes, while parcel 3A will host 81, 3B will have 30, and parcel 4 will contain 20. Affordable housing is concentrated in parcels 3A and 3B. The study does not alter the overall buildable area or land uses established in the general urban plan but adjusts the positioning and massing to make the development feasible.
Cerro del Agua's terrain presents notable challenges, including railway easements, hydraulic protection zones, and steep slopes. The Estudio de Detalle addresses these by designing separate building platforms tailored to each parcel's conditions. This technical step is essential to reconcile the planned density with physical and legal constraints without changing the overarching zoning.
In addition to residential uses, the plan includes a commercial plot (CO) with 2,300 square meters of floor space and a maximum height of ground floor plus one story. A separate parcel (ES-43) is reserved for social facilities, ensuring the new neighborhood offers more than just housing. The mixture of uses aims to create a self-contained community.
Building typologies vary by parcel. The main residential areas envision blocks up to five stories high, while the commercial area remains low-rise. The development is part of Fuengirola's strategy to expand its housing stock, particularly affordable units, in a region where demand continues to outstrip supply. The Costa del Sol has seen rising property prices, and projects like Cerro del Agua are critical to providing homes for local workers and families.
The approval of the Estudio de Detalle is one of several steps needed before construction can begin. After the public consultation, the plan must be definitively approved by the city council. Following that, the developer will need to obtain building permits and infrastructure agreements. Historically, large residential projects in the area have taken several years from planning to completion. For instance, the nearby El Higuerón development took nearly a decade to fully build out.
Fuengirola's mayor, who has championed the project as part of a broader push for sustainable growth, emphasized the importance of the affordable housing quota. The 111 VPO units represent over a third of the total, a higher ratio than many private developments in the region. This aligns with Andalusian housing policies that encourage mixed-income neighborhoods.
Residents and local businesses will have until mid-July to review the detailed plans at the town hall or online. Once finalized, the project will proceed to the construction phase, with the first phase expected to break ground in late 2027. The full build-out may take five to eight years, depending on market conditions and infrastructure timelines.
For now, Cerro del Agua remains a hillside of scrub and groves, but the planning framework now in place sets the stage for a new urban fabric. The outcome of the public consultation will determine whether any modifications are made before final approval.
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