> ## Content Index > Fetch the complete content index at: https://barna.news/llms.txt > Use this file to discover other available public pages before exploring further. # Court Backs Student Residences in Drassanes Dispute - URL: https://barna.news/court-backs-student-residences-in/ - Published: 2026-09-28T14:38:42.000Z - Updated: 2026-09-28T14:38:42.000Z - Description: The High Court of Justice of Catalonia has dismissed an appeal by residents seeking to mandate 25% protected housing on two plots in Barcelona's Raval. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: housing ## Residents Lose Legal Bid for Social Housing Quota The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) has rejected the appeal filed by the Habitem les Drassanes platform, ending a nearly 20-year campaign to secure 25% protected housing on two long-contested plots in the Raval area of Ciutat Vella, Barcelona. The ruling allows construction to proceed on two student residences without the requirement to allocate a portion of the space for public housing. The decision, confirmed in July 2026 and reported by *beteve.cat* and *Tercera Informació*, hinges on the classification of the buildings as 'residential use' rather than 'housing'. Under urban planning regulations, only developments classified as housing are subject to the 25% social quota. The court determined that because the buildings are designated as student residences, operated commercially, they fall outside this obligation. ## Legal Battle Spanned Decades Over Vacant Plots The land at Drassanes, located between Mina and Cid streets, remained vacant for almost two decades following failed attempts by developer Praktik to build a hotel. That project was blocked in 2016 when Ada Colau’s city government denied the necessary licence. Although the company appealed, the Spanish Supreme Court declined to hear the case, effectively halting the hotel plan. Despite community demands that the sites be used for social housing, the property owner initiated procedures in 2020 to develop student residences instead. The TSJC’s recent judgment gives final legal approval to these projects. > “As an association we have lost, but truly the one that has lost is the city. It has lost 25% of protected housing, especially the Raval,” said Alberto Malavia, architect and member of Habitem les Drassanes. He criticised successive local administrations for failing to support the community’s demands. ## Unauthorised Extra Floor Raises New Concerns The platform also raised concerns about unauthorised construction: the residence under development now stands at ground floor plus ten levels, one more than the nine floors approved by the city’s Urban Planning department. The Ajuntament de Barcelona stated it will inspect the building upon completion to verify compliance with the original licence. Habitem les Drassanes warned that operating both residences, including one already active on Paral·lel Avenue, could worsen overcrowding, drive up commercial rents, and further strain neighbourhood life. They described the judicial outcome as prioritising private over public interest during a housing crisis. --- Additionally, the TSJC has ordered the platform to pay €3,000 in legal costs, with a potential additional €3,000 pending a separate ruling on the second plot. Critics view the penalty as an attempt to discourage future civic action. The platform operates under the legal umbrella of the Associació de Veïnes i Veïns del Gòtic. --- *Reported by liniaxarxa.cat, beteve.cat, tercerainformacion.es, Línia Xarxa.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Barcelona Evictions Down 56% in Decade](https://barna.news/barcelona-evictions-down-56-in-decade/) - [Barcelona Launches Mediation Scheme with ICAB to Avert Housing Disputes](https://barna.news/barcelona-launches-mediation-scheme/) - [Calonge to Cede Two Plots for 66 Affordable Homes](https://barna.news/calonge-to-cede-two-plots-for-66/) - [Sánchez to Visit Barcelona Affordable Housing Scheme](https://barna.news/sanchez-to-visit-barcelona-affordable/)