The City Council to authorize the placement of full buildings is based, among other things, on the favourable report of the Directorate of Urban Management: "It intends to partially approve Arabatur's claim by authorising the tourist apartments of whole buildings," the report of July 2020 states. The report is signed by Alfredo Piris, who for decades has held the main public positions related to urbanism in Vitoria-Gasteiz in the municipal governments led by PNV, PSE and pp, among which is the manager of the Ensanche 21 between 2000 and 2013. This report is based, inter alia, on the opinion in favour of Ensanche 21: “As for Arabatur’s claim, it contrasts with the municipal urban society [Ensanche 21] (...) and the possibility of authorizing tourist housing in whole buildings is considered sufficiently founded and acceptable.”

Non-existing opinion

In a supposed opinion, we should say. Aware that Gustavo Antépara is a member of the board of directors of the Ensanche 21, owner of the company Luxury Rental Apartments, we have analyzed the minutes of the council of the urban society and the meetings of the board, in order to know whether the Ensanche 21 voted in favour or not, in case it would have to be inhibited by a conflict of interests. There is no vote or mention of the case in the Minutes. Finally, we found the answer in the allegation submitted by EH Bildu to the municipal decision. “[Widen 21] This report is not in the file, as we have seen in the dossier visit we made on 6 August in the offices of San Martin.” Asked about the report, EH Bildu replied that what was done with Ensanche 21 was an informal contrast: “We were informed that an oral consultation had been held at Ensanche 21.”

Sources from EH Bildu have confirmed that the question was put to Alfredo Piris, who informed them that the informal telephone consultation – with whom we do not know – was done. However, this has not prevented the “yes” of Ensanche 21 from being presented as a qualified opinion to authorize the turistification of housing.