Historic Casa Gomis acquisition complicates El Prat expansion
The expansion of El Prat airport faces a new challenge with the acquisition of Casa Gomis, a historic rationalist building located in the protected area of La Ricarda. While the Ministry of Culture plans to turn it into a cultural center, the move complicates Salvador Illa’s efforts to advance the €1.7 billion project, reigniting political and environmental debates
The expansion of El Prat airport, a topic debated for years, has encountered a new and unexpected obstacle: Casa Gomis. According to El Mundo, the Ministry of Culture has purchased this historic building for €7.2 million, intending to transform it into a cultural and environmental interpretation center. While this initiative preserves heritage, it also strategically complicates the airport expansion project promoted by Salvador Illa, the socialist president of the Generalitat.
Casa Gomis, a rationalist architectural gem, is located in La Ricarda, a protected natural area that played a key role in halting the expansion in 2021. Back then, the comunes, led by Ada Colau and Yolanda Díaz, opposed Aena’s plans, citing environmental protection. Now, with the acquisition of Casa Gomis, history seems to be repeating itself. According to El Mundo, sources close to the comunes admitted, "this maneuver complicates matters significantly for Illa."
The original proposal by Aena, supported by the central government, included a €1.7 billion investment to extend the third runway by 500 meters and construct a satellite terminal. However, the comunes are leveraging this acquisition as another argument against the project.
Jordi Martí, Secretary of State for Culture and former close ally of Colau, has been identified as the driving force behind the purchase. Martí had previously aimed to incorporate Casa Gomis into cultural heritage during his time as a councilor but lacked jurisdiction since the property was in a neighboring municipality. With the backing of the Ministry of Culture, he has now achieved his goal, while also strengthening the comunes’ opposition to the airport expansion.
In September, Illa reactivated the project, announcing the formation of a technical commission to draft a new plan to increase the airport's capacity. He intended to present progress in 2025, but Casa Gomis now adds to a growing list of political and environmental challenges.
The comunes, according to El Mundo, remain firmly opposed to the project and are using this acquisition as a fresh argument to block it. What was envisioned as a technical advancement to enhance Catalonia's air connectivity is once again entangled in political disputes, environmental concerns, and cultural preservation strategies. According to El Mundo, this "master move" by the comunes not only complicates Illa’s efforts but also challenges aspirations to position the airport expansion as a pivotal opportunity for the region's economic development.
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