The town of Comillas has officially inaugurated its newly urbanised and renaturalised seafront, a project designed to create a more accessible and sustainable environment for both residents and visitors. This initiative was financed through the European Next Generation funds as part of Spain's Recovery, Transformation and Resilience Plan.
The inauguration ceremony featured several dignitaries, including Pedro Casares, the Government Delegate in Cantabria; María Teresa Noceda Llano, the mayor of Comillas; José Luis López Vielba, the Director General of Tourism for the Government of Cantabria; Miguel Sanz Castedo, the Director of Turespaña; and Julián Rozas, the local councillor for tourism.
Details of the project
The project covers an area of 2,375 square metres and aims to improve the coastal environment for the enjoyment of Comillas residents, particularly those who frequent the beach area. It includes the creation of a new promenade approximately 12 metres wide, enhanced pedestrian zones, and landscaped green areas inspired by the unique dune ecosystems of the Cantabrian coast.
Additionally, new access points to the beach have been established to improve accessibility for individuals with reduced mobility, thereby strengthening the connection between the promenade, the beach, and communal areas. The project also features upgraded urban furniture, more efficient lighting, and permeable pavements that aid in water management and environmental sustainability.
Statements from officials
“The inauguration of this new seafront represents a significant step for Comillas and for all those who enjoy the beach area throughout the year,” said María Teresa Noceda Llano, the mayor.
Julián Rozas, the councillor for tourism, emphasised that “this initiative is a key component of the Sustainable Tourism Plan for Destinations, as it enhances mobility, organises the beach area, and reinforces Comillas’s image as a sustainable and quality destination.”
Part of a broader sustainability plan
The new seafront is part of the Sustainable Tourism Plan for Destinations ‘Sustainable Modernism in Green Spain’, which has been approved by the Secretary of State for Tourism. This plan encompasses a total investment of €3.1 million across 15 strategic actions aimed at modernising the municipality, improving mobility, and preserving local heritage.
Among the notable initiatives included in the plan are the urbanisation and renaturalisation of the seafront, the construction of a new parking facility at Regato Callejo to alleviate traffic in the historic centre, and the restoration of the monument to the first Marquis of Comillas, designed by the renowned architect Lluís Domènech i Montaner.
With the completion of this plan, Comillas aims to establish a more sustainable, accessible, and orderly tourism model that benefits both residents and visitors while protecting its unique natural and architectural heritage.
