In 2015 the local administration of Granadilla  approved the proposal of building a hotel in La Tejita [3]. In mid-2019 a subsidiary company of the enterprise Grupo Viqueira started its construction [4, 5]. However, the major responsible of the approval of the project  is been investigated for  prevarication and influence peddling during his administration between 2003-2007 [6]. Any link with the permission granted to build the hotel in La Tejita has been proven so far.

With slogans like “La Tejita no se vende, La Tejita se defiende!” (Don’t sell La Tejita, defend it!) many environmental collectives, scientists and neighbors have protested  since 2016 against the construction of the hotel [7]. Activists have demonstrated on streets, have sent official complaint letters and petitions to local, regional, national and European institutions in order to stop the construction and claim for the defence of ecosystems, natural values and protection of the area [8, 9, 10].

The idea to build the hotel dates back to the Plan Costabella approved in 1973. The project consists on a 5-stars infrastructure with 883 beds, a surface of 26.758 square meters and a front of 276 meters in the abreast of La Tejita beach [11] . Since the construction of the hotel occupies the limits of the terrestrial-maritime delimitation under review by the Provincial Coastal Service [12], it is illegal. Specifically, the construction has potential negative effects on the fauna, flora and landscape values of two protected areas of the European Network Natura 2000: Montaña Roja (ES7020049) and Sebadales del Sur (ES7020116). Furthermore, the project will affect the sand dynamic and habitats of one of the largest relative natural beaches of Tenerife [13].

Social protests and mobilizations during June 2020 were critical to attract the attention of media and the national administration.  Two activist climbed to two cranes in the hotel and stayed there for many days [18]. In June 22, 2020, the Ministry of Ecological Transition and Demographic Challenge of the Spanish government ordered to stop the construction based on the illegal occupation of public property [14, 15].

On February 2020 the national administration allows a partial occupation of the coast and the owners reformulate the project with 60 rooms less [19].