- The company Higertoki has cut trees on an area of 100,000 square meters unlicensed last year, for the giant mega-outlet it intends to make in the corridor Jaizkibel - Aiako Harria. The Mayor of Hondarribia (PNV) has been the first to punish the infringement committed by the Abotsanitz de Hondarribia party, although the company has been fined the least.
The mayor, Txomin Sagarzazu, has described as a minor infraction what happened and has pointed out that minor infringements can be sanctioned with fines of between 500 and 5,000 euros. The company shall be fined as little as possible: EUR 500. Abotsanitz is clear that “what the company has done is a serious infringement that would deserve between 5,000 and 50,000 euros at least”. Thus, it will appeal to the mayor's decree, demanding a further sanction.
Abotsanitz reported an unauthorised destruction last year and the mayor had to admit that the works were “clandestine”. He later legalized these works.
Allegations of irregularities from the outset
The mega-outlet project to be launched from the outset at Zaldunborda has been surrounded by allegations of irregularities and is against small traders in the region, as well as all parties except the PNV of Hondarribia.
“The mayor has once again made it clear that Higertoki has total freedom to do everything he wants in Zaldunborda (cutting trees, illegal building, cutting road without giving an alternative...),” Abotsanitz said.
