Residents campaign to halt placing dump in Moraira community

Residents of Teulada-Moraira are facing an unacceptable proposal: the construction of an ecoparque – a public waste reception and recycling facility (dump) – right in the heart of a densely populated residential area on Calle Oviedo, in the La Sabatera area. This site, formerly an old water treatment works, is a lot less than 50 metres from family homes, around 10 metres in some cases, surrounded by narrow streets like Calle Oviedo and Calle Jaen, and close to green spaces and community life. The street is so narrow, only one car at a time can pass.

No one informed residents

The council have allegedly approved the project without prior consultation or meaningful dialogue with those directly affected. Many neighbours only learnt of the project recently, leading to widespread outrage. The plans include major construction: breaking up concrete, extensive excavation, trenches, around 2000 m³ of ballast, a new hardstanding slab, and five months (likely more) of heavy disruption, noise, dust, road closures, and truck traffic.

Danger from heavy traffic

Worse still, it has been claimed that the location is fundamentally unsuitable. Narrow residential roads lack the minimum 6.0–6.5 m width necessary for large turning radii (12–15 m recommended for 26–32 tonne HGVs handling 20 m³ containers), safe pedestrian clearances, and infrastructure to handle regular heavy vehicle access. This raises serious safety risks, potential accidents, kerb damage, reversing lorries near homes, and conflicts with pedestrians, cyclists, and parked cars. There is already a sign (triangle with an exclamation mark) warning road users to exercise extreme caution.

Add noise, odours, light pollution from possible night security lights, and degradation of the wooded natural surroundings, and the effect on property prices, and it’s clear this belongs in an industrial zone or remote area, not amongst family homes.

Locals say alternatives exist: expand the existing ecoparque in Teulada’s industrial estate, use mobile units, or repurpose unused spaces like the large parking area near Carrefour on El Planet – far from residences.

Get involved – Save the community

If you’re a local resident, Spanish or expat, your voice matters now more than ever. Campaigners are raising the pressure on the local authorities and encouraging others to get involved. Those already involved say, “This isn’t just about one street; it’s about protecting our shared home, health, and environment. Join the growing movement, attend meetings, sign petitions, share with neighbours, and stand united! Communities like ours thrive when we act together.”

The GoFundMe site has already raised €9,000 in just a week – A sign of how this movement is growing rapidly, and how much locals feel about it.

In Teulada-Moraira, Spanish families and international residents have built a thriving, welcoming place side by side. By coming together now, across languages, backgrounds, and experiences, the neighbours can show the true strength of the community. “We can protect our neighbourhoods, demand better planning, and emerge even stronger, proving that when locals unite for what’s right, positive change happens. Let’s make our voices heard and secure a brighter, cleaner future for everyone here!” Join the Facebook group “NO al Ecoparque en Calle Oviedo!” to find out more.