Denis Itxaso plans 200 dotational homes in Riberas de Loiola compared to 400 announced by the president

The new homes in Riberas de Loiola will be around 200 and the works could begin in 2027, as noted by the Housing and Urban Agenda Counsellor of the Basque Government, Denis Itxaso, during the presentation of his Department's approach to this area. These 200 dotational homes for young and old people will be half of the 400 announced this week by President Imanol Pradales and Mayor Jon Insausti.

Itxaso has explained that the proposal is based on a preliminary study commissioned by the architects Gonzalo Sánchez and Armando Diago of the studio Ortega Diago, awarded in the 4th edition of the Peña Ganchegui Awards for young Basque architects, with the aim of analysing the area from an "urban, social and community" perspective.

"A first approach."

During the presentation, the Housing Counsellor explained that the preliminary draft is a "first approach" and that a process of "participation and listening" will then have to be carried out with the neighbours, in which aspects such as the number and characteristics of the accommodation, the spaces intended for equipment and their uses will be established. She explained that all details will be determined according to the needs of the neighbourhood.

200, not 400.

In the parameters used in this first draft, the technical teams have proposed, as a "working hypothesis", the construction of 200 accommodation units (respecting the building capacity provided for in the PGOU) and 8,000 square metres for equipment, which will be used for cultural and community uses. This number of dwellings completely reduces what was initially announced by the President, Imanol Pradales, and the Mayor of San Sebastián, Jon Insausti.

Itxaso has thus explained his department's "hypothesis" that these are "technically based figures." The aim is to provide neighbors with a context where they can see their integration into the neighborhood without conditioning the participatory process. "

Thus, after the controversy of the last few hours, the Socialist Councillor has demanded, "with all due respect", that Pradales and Insausti "explain their project." "I do not know how these figures are obtained and I will not give an opinion because we do not know the project," he concluded.

It should be remembered that this Thursday Denis Itxaso reproached the president for going to Riberas de Loiola to "take a picture", reproaching him for announcing new homes "without a project." The president and the mayor have rushed, because of a matter of protagonism, and in terms of housing you cannot act lightly with the expectations of the citizens, "said the socialist councillor.