The mayor José Luis Sanz insists that the projects for the new stadiums of Betis and Sevilla will not be halted, despite local and environmentalist criticism.
The mayor of Seville, José Luis Sanz, has responded to the criticisms that have arisen in recent days against the construction projects for the new stadiums of Real Betis and Sevilla FC. During the presentation of the autumn programme at the Teatro Lope de Vega, the popular mayor was emphatic: “They will not be halted”.
Sanz was referring to the controversy generated in the Nervión District, where on July 1, a community proposal supported by PSOE and Con Podemos-IU requested the suspension of the urban planning process for the new Sánchez-Pizjuán. The initiative, presented by the Nervión Este Neighbourhood Association, called for the non-authorization of the occupation of 10,412.33 square metres of free spaces in the vicinity of the stadium.
The mayor, however, made it clear that both the Sevilla project and the Betis project are “two city projects” and that his government team will unblock them. “From the beginning, I said I would unblock the two expansion projects for the two stadiums because I believe they are two projects that the city of Seville deserves,” he stated.
Residents and environmentalists on the warpath
The local opposition is not the only one questioning the plans. Ecologistas en Acción has filed a complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Provincial Court of Seville for possible indications of a crime in the urban planning process of the Benito Villamarín. The organisation believes that the decisions made by the Urban Planning Management of the City Council may have favoured Real Betis.
In addition, Ecologistas en Acción has already filed a contentious-administrative appeal with the High Court of Justice of Andalusia (TSJA) against the Planning Study of the Betis stadium. In parallel, the association has intensified its actions against the expansion project of the Benito Villamarín and the adjacent commercial building.
Meanwhile, in the Nervión District, the community proposal for suspension was approved with votes from PSOE and Con Podemos-IU, but the district delegate, Juan Bueno, rendered it ineffective upon detecting formal defects. Residents claim that the occupation of free spaces represents an irreparable loss of heritage and a risk to coexistence and safety.
Two projects that have been on hold for 22 years
José Luis Sanz recalled that both Betis and Sevilla have been waiting for 22 years for the situation regarding their stadiums to be unblocked. “We have two teams that are magnificent showcases for this city around the world, and it was about time their stadiums were remodelled,” he emphasised.
The mayor insisted that his government has worked to expedite the procedures and that both projects are viable. “The city of Seville needs to have two stadiums that are in line with the teams it has and that both the Betis and Sevilla fans deserve,” he added.
Meanwhile, the residents of Nervión and environmentalists remain mobilised. The Nervión Este Neighbourhood Association has announced that it will continue to fight for their demands to be heard and for the quality of life in the neighbourhood to be guaranteed. For its part, Ecologistas en Acción hopes that the Prosecutor's Office will investigate the possible irregularities.
For the average Sevillian, the question remains when the works will begin and how they will affect the daily lives of the neighbouring areas. The City Council has not yet provided specific dates, but Sanz promises that the projects will go ahead.
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