Villas Caravaning campsite responds after Cartagena Council seals facilities
The caravan site managers have complained that they will have to cancel 20,000 holiday bookings this year as a result of the Council’s actions
One day after the Cartagena Council sealed off unlicensed parts of the Villas Caravaning campsite in Playa Honda, the site’s operators and residents have reacted with anger, confusion and concern, warning of serious consequences for thousands of holidaymakers and the local economy.
Local police carried out the operation on Monday May 26, closing communal areas and mobile homes without occupants, following a court decision in favour of the Town Hall. The council’s Town Planning Department cited safety and urban planning violations, including failures to comply with fire regulations, as justification for the closures. Social services workers were also present on-site to support any residents in need, though the council insisted no evictions took place.
“The facilities sealed were not occupied. We’re acting strictly for the safety of people,” said Diego Ortega, the Cartagena Councillor for Infrastructure. He also noted that the operator’s attempt to halt the sealing was rejected by a judge. “The court authorised intervention because the facilities are outside the law.”
Capfun, the French company that manages the campsite, has strongly criticised the council’s actions. In a statement, the company said: “We are going to have to cancel the holidays of more than 20,000 customers who had planned to stay at the La Manga campsite. It is simply catastrophic for these families and for the local economy.”
The management company described the court’s decision as “very violent” and questioned whether the authorities are planning a full shutdown, alleging that they have tried repeatedly to engage in dialogue without receiving a response.
Capfun admitted that the installation of 80 mobile homes without authorisation was a mistake, but claimed they were unaware of the issue and have since submitted a request to regularise the situation.
“If the request is denied, we’re ready to remove the mobile homes to comply with regulations,” the company said.
With regard to the supposedly illegal sanitary facilities, Capfun stated that a renovation plan was approved by the owners’ assembly on April 8 of this year and that the work is pending municipal approval. “There is no ill will on our part,” they insisted.
They also revealed that the Council had asked them to begin preparing a Special Plan for the site. “We’ve appointed an engineer and proposed a meeting with the Council this week, but so far we’ve had no reply,” they said.
The response from residents has been equally strong. Juan García, president of one of the two campsite neighbourhood associations, called the closures “illegal and scandalous”, accusing the council of provoking conflict.
“They want us to get into a fight with the local police,” he said, claiming that this would allow them to justify a future total closure of the site.
García said his lawyer will be contacting Cartagena City Council to ensure sealed properties can be accessed by their owners. “We have been told that anyone who is not [in their home right now], when they return, should go to the Ayuntamiento and prove that they own the property so that it can be unsealed.”
He added, “We didn’t expect these closures. We thought some of the businesses would be spared. They’ve even sealed the church.,” he said.
Even the beach toilets nearby were only left open temporarily because a group of children was camping nearby.
“They said they would close them when they left tomorrow on the bus,” said García. “It’s monstrous.”
The underlying tensions stem from a fire in 2021 that killed a German tourist and destroyed 19 pitches. Since then, both Capfun and many residents have made efforts to improve safety and comply with regulations, but disputes with the City Council have persisted.
Now, the situation only looks set to intensify as both sides ramp up the rhetoric ahead of what was supposed to be a profitable and enjoyable summer season.
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