On June 5, coinciding with the opening of the island of Santa Clara, the public opening of the work Hondalea, created by Cristina Iglesias in the lighthouse will take place. As several agents have pointed out, this moment will become a milestone in the socio-cultural ecosystem of the island and the city and will definitely transform this space.

The Bizilagunak platform, the association of naturalists Haritzalde, the ecologist group Eguzki and the association Parke Bizirik Kukulunbera are some of the groups that have expressed their concerns about this project. As they have done in other cases, in a note they have put on the table “the consequences that this project can have in relation to the environment and the natural values of the city, the permanent tourist process and the privatization of urban spaces and resources”.

As explained by the agents, the City Hall of Donostia-San Sebastián and the project promoters have been willing to design measures to minimize the possible negative impacts of the project and ensure the preservation of its natural and sociocultural values. Although they have appreciated this attitude, the outcome of this exchange has not been the one expected: “Unfortunately, the outcome of these contacts that sought to prevent mass overcrowding has not been as fruitful as expected.”

They have therefore shown their disagreement with the City Hall’s approach to managing the island. On the one hand, they consider that the approach leaves too much room for ambiguity and exceptionality, the proposal lacks legal support and “has not been implemented through a certain form of administrative regulation”. On the other hand, the proposal only establishes management criteria for the year 2021, so that "the limits and conditions established in the coming years can be made more flexible". These measures are a sign of the risks of overcrowding and over-exploitation for the agents.

“No detailed information is given on the permitted uses for the lighthouse and the island,” the nota.Se provides for the opening of doors to events and special visits, with the approval of the activity of private companies. San Sebastián Turismo has used it as an artistic initiative to highlight the city internationally and thus consider that "the lighthouse and the island have become a tourist product". For example, the visits announced for October will be priced at EUR 30.

Finally, they pointed out that "the island is such a fragile and beautiful space of great natural value", as it hosts several species of representative animals and plants. This management of the island and the possible abuses that may occur jeopardise the area, as the commitments undertaken are not sufficiently precise.

The actors have committed themselves to continuing to promote a specific regulation and plan of use that guarantees the protection of the island and prevents its overcrowding and putting it at risk. In addition, they have asked the institutions to start processing the inclusion of Santa Clara - Igeldo and its intersection in the Natura 2000 network.