After three years of litigation, the Superior Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) has ruled that the Badalona City Council (Barcelonès Nord) can proceed with the demolition of the building of the old Mobba factory, located on the coastline, next to the road iron For the mayor, Xavier García Albiol, it is a “political victory over the opposition that in 2021 tried to block the PP's government action” and that contemplated a public square on the site now occupied by the dilapidated factory site.
The ruling, according to the mayor, also endorses the autonomy of the City Council vis-à-vis the Generalitat, which he accuses of interference in municipal powers by having decided to prevent the demolition of the building based on a classification of Cultural Asset of Local Interest, an argument which was also used by the group that advocated making the Mobba a space for artistic collectives, an argument shared by the opposition parties.
“The opposition must apologize to the neighbors for losing three years” in a political confrontation, said García Albiol. Residents in the area demanded the demolition of the building to build a public square but “they were subjected to crossfire from those who wanted to block a future project.”
After three years of “ordeal” according to Albiol, residents in the area will be consulted to agree on the type of plaza they prefer “a participatory process” exclusive for neighbors “who are the ones who have suffered the consequences of the stoppage.” The construction of the new green area may materialize in this legislature.
Once the mandatory 30 days to appeal the sentence have passed, which Albiol hopes "does not happen," the government will begin the process to put out to tender the project to demolish and build Mobba Square, a space that will dignify the area, taking Keep in mind that it also includes the urbanization of Sant Isidre Street and Roca i Pi Square.
It will be the Mobba's own residents "and not others who come from outside," highlighted the mayor, who will decide the design of the new municipal space. "The same neighbors who have been subjected to political crossfire," said Albiol, among the groups and parties that have opposed the demolition.
