Dispute over Cap Pinar Military Training Area Expansion near Alcúdia

Military plans at Cap Pinar cause unrest

On the northern tip of Alcúdia, on the dry hillside around Cap Pinar, there has been a certain buzz in recent days. The Ministry of Defense has presented plans to expand the existing training area – roughly by about 145 hectares. For people who jog here, walk the dog, or stroll along the coast on Sundays, that sounds like a change that can't just be accepted.

What exactly is at stake

The area affected would include several popular footpaths and touches lands that farmers and hunters currently use. Some activities already require permits – from hunting to small-scale farming to drone flights. The announced expansion would push many of these areas into a militarily dominated space, according to critics. The Alcúdia Town Hall has already announced objections and calls for a careful examination of the plans.

Trouble, concerns and practical questions

From the harbor cafés you hear voices like: 'The Ruta is part of our weekend.' Others who are at the beach at 7 a.m. with their dogs fear temporary closures or loud exercises. Farmers who grow small vegetables and olives here worry about access to their fields. And there are hiking groups that travel on old paths—some paths have names that hardly anyone remembers, but they are part of everyday island life.

The municipality demands solutions. The council demands that recreational use, nature conservation interests, and the local economy are not simply overridden. It's not just about a paragraph in a file, but about paths that families have used for decades, rest spots with pines, and coastal sections popular with divers and snorkelers.

How things could proceed

Formally, an objection procedure is now underway: authorities have time to comment, environmental assessments could be ordered, and there will need to be discussions between the military, the municipality, and stakeholder groups. In some parts of the island, such conflicts have led to compromises – time-limited closures, clearly marked trails, or joint usage agreements. Whether this will work here is open.

Those who live at Cap Pinar or are often there will watch the matter with mixed feelings: understanding security interests on the one hand, and the wish not to restrict outdoor life on the other. In the coming weeks, consultations will show whether a solution is possible for both sides or whether the dispute will escalate further.

In the short term: check local notices from the municipal administration if you are in the area – and if you have an opinion, attend the town meeting. This is not a topic to decide only in government offices.