> ## 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. # Courts Back 5,000 Homes in Parc d'Alba - URL: https://barna.news/courts-back-5-000-homes-in-parc-d-alba/ - Published: 2026-10-19T12:52:35.000Z - Updated: 2026-10-19T12:52:35.000Z - Description: The High Court of Justice of Catalonia has approved most of the Parc d'Alba urban development plan, allowing over 5,000 homes between Sant Cugat and Cerdanyola, pending flood risk revisions. - Author: Barna.News - Tags: Housing, Catalonia ## Project Moves Forward With Conditions The High Court of Justice of Catalonia (TSJC) has approved the majority of the Urban Planning Master Plan for the Parc d'Alba development, paving the way for more than 5,000 new homes to be built on the 408-hectare site between Sant Cugat and Cerdanyola del Vallès. The ruling, issued by the second chamber of the contentious-administrative division, supports the project's core elements, including residential, economic, and community infrastructure, following a legal challenge by environmental groups. However, the court has declared partial nullity of the planning due to flood risk concerns. It ruled that planned buildings in the Montflorit and Canaletes areas of Cerdanyola face a serious risk of flooding and that developments along the Magrans stream do not respect the 500-year flood return zone, as identified by the Catalan Water Agency (ACA). As a result, three planned facilities and a road along the Sant Cugat stream must be reformulated. --- ## Flood Risks Require Revisions The TSJC's decision mandates changes to specific parts of the plan but does not halt the overall project. The court found insufficient consideration of floodability risks in these zones and has ordered the relevant plots to be re-planned. The areas affected lie on land between Cerdanyola and Sant Cugat, where the new neighbourhood is set to rise. Environmental organisations Refem el Centre Direccional and the Association for the Defence and Study of Nature (ADENC) had challenged the plan on environmental and public health grounds. While the court dismissed claims related to natural land impact and ecological connectivity, it acknowledged the validity of the flood risk arguments. > The recognition of flooding problems is a key win, even if broader environmental concerns were not upheld. ## Housing and Health Assessments Upheld The court backed the construction of 5,377 planned homes, citing the project's social report and its compliance with the urban solidarity objective under housing law, which requires at least 15% of housing stock to be officially protected. This means around 4,000 homes will be designated as protected housing within 15 years, aiming to ease pressure on neighbouring municipalities. The ruling also found no significant health risk from the proximity of the Parc d'Alba site to the former Can Planas and Elena landfills, though it recommended monitoring for potential methane emissions. Environmental groups remain concerned about landfill emissions and increased traffic from the development. The 30-day window for appeal to the Supreme Court remains open. Legal representatives from Refem el Centre Direccional confirmed they will pursue further action, arguing that environmental, territorial, and public health concerns have not been adequately addressed. --- *Primary sources:* [*premsa.santcugat.cat*](https://premsa.santcugat.cat/comerc/sant-cugat-presenta-allegacions-al-pla-director-del-centre-direccional-de-cerdanyola-i-veu-amb-preocupacio-el-futur-macrocentre-comercial/?ref=barna.news)*. Reported by totsantcugat.cat, elperiodico.com, VilaWeb, onadigital.cat, ecologistes.cat, cerdanyola.cat, CENDOJ, GCJ, TOT Sant Cugat.* --- ### Related on Barna.News - [Sant Cugat Second Priciest Home Market in Catalonia](https://barna.news/sant-cugat-second-priciest-home-market/) - [Sant Cugat Autumn Festival to focus on housing](https://barna.news/sant-cugat-autumn-festival-to-focus-on/) - [8,000 Homeless in Catalonia, Half in Barcelona](https://barna.news/8-000-homeless-in-catalonia-half-in/) - [Barcelona starts expropriation for Anna Frank social housing](https://barna.news/barcelona-starts-expropriation-for-anna/)