Around 50 squatters have moved into tourist accommodation in a popular holiday resort in Majorca, Spain and they are not intending to leave despite no having no water
Squatters have taken over a building in a former hotel in Majorca, swearing that they won’t leave.
Dating back to the early seventies, BelleVue in Alcudia, Spain is a thriving holiday village. In total, there are 17 blocks of over 1,400 apartments and studios. Now, one of the buildings is being overwhelmed with squatters ahead of their planned opening to holidaymakers later this year.
Located in the Neptuno II building of the resort, around 50 people are believed to have moved in and placed padlocks on the apartments they are residing within. “We are not here for fun,” said one of the squatters, reports the Majorca Daily Bulletin.
It is reported that the squatters have attempted to tap into the water network, as they “don’t have any and there are small children here”. However, they do have electricity.
Whilst the building is in bad shape with mould and broken windows, the new occupants say they don’t mind. “It is what it is, we have nowhere else to go,” one said. Another added that they do not know anything about the hotel director or anyone else.
“We are here because there are no flats to live in. It is impossible to pay the rents,” they said.
The squatters intend to stay in the building until there is intervention to remove them. The complex’s lack of security measures has contributed to the current situation, as there are no obstacles preventing public access.
The BelleVue Complex in Alcudia is one of Europe’s largest tourist accommodations and has been a family resort since it first opened. Over the years it has undergone several renovations and redevelopment. It has long been loved by tourists due to its near proximity to the beach and being home to eight pools for adults, two pools for children, a kid’s club, sports areas, mini golf course, and a go cart track.
There is a level of confusion around who manages BelleVue, even though the current owners are BlueBay Hotels & Resorts. However, around two years ago, it was announced that there was to be a 15-year strategic alliance with World2Meet, which is part of Iberostar. World2Meet was due to take on the management, and its O7 Hotels division did manage the complex last year.
In January, police were also on high alert after 30 squatters took over a hotel in Cala Bona and reportedly destroyed the reception, breaking windows and vandalising the walls. Despite police being called to the Sol y Mar Aparthotel to investigate, they failed to identify or remove any perpetrators.
Due to it currently being out of season, there is no water or electricity in the Sol y Mar, however it is thought that the squatters are getting water from the swimming pool. Neighbours of the hotel are reportedly now living in fear, while journalists and police stationed outside the hotel have faced threats.
BlueBay Hotels & Resorts has been contacted for comment.