Agriculture expropriates 52 plots to modernize the irrigation of the Villadangos Canal

The Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food has opened for public consultation the list of owners, assets, and rights affected by the expropriations necessary for the irrigation modernization project of the Villadangos Canal (phase I-SEIASA) and has called for the drafting of records prior to occupation. The resolution of the Directorate General for Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-Food Training is published in the Official Gazette of the Province of León no. 201, dated October 22, 2026, with the reference BOP-LE-2026-201024. The owners of the affected estates in Villadangos del Páramo, Cimanes del Tejar, and Santa Marina del Rey are summoned for November 17 and 18, 2026.

The action is supported by Article 78 of Law 14/2000, of December 29, on Fiscal, Administrative and Social Order Measures, which declared the replacement of the secondary irrigation network of the Villadangos Canal Irrigation Community to be of general interest. This declaration implies public utility for the purposes of the Forced Expropriation Law of December 16, 1954, and urgency for the occupation of assets, allowing the file to be processed via Article 52 of said regulation.

The project was promoted by the State Mercantile Society for Agricultural Infrastructures, S.A. (SEIASA) in execution of the agreement signed with the MAPA on June 25, 2021. On November 22, 2021, the regulatory agreement for financing, construction, and operation was formalized with the irrigation community, which grants the community the status of beneficiary and imposes the full cost of the expropriations upon it; this provision was maintained in the addenda of July 23, 2025, and July 1, 2026. The project was approved on June 12, 2026, and on September 21, 2026, a ministerial order agreed to the start of the expropriation proceedings, with the appointment of Administration representatives and beneficiary experts. The file number is SGRCNIR 21.311.

Fifty-two plots in three municipalities

The annex to the resolution details 52 cadastral plots, almost all in polygon 107 of Villadangos del Páramo and in polygon 304 of Cimanes del Tejar, plus four estates from polygon 903 of Santa Marina del Rey. The expropriated ownership area is approximately 11,773 square meters, while the temporary occupation is close to 317,000 square meters.

• Villadangos del Páramo: 35 plots, with compulsory purchase of the first 19 and temporary occupation of the remainder.
• Cimanes del Tejar: 13 plots, all under temporary occupation, including several belonging to Laudelino Arias Martínez and the Ferrero Martínez family.
• Santa Marina del Rey: 4 plots belonging to the Junta Vecinal de Sardonedo, with 81,778 square meters of temporary occupation.
• Among the owners are also the Junta Vecinal de Fojedo del Páramo, María Estelita Pellitero Barrioluengo, José María Barrioluengo González, and the heirs of Ramón Villadangos González.

Fifteen business days for allegations

Interested parties have a period of 15 business days, counted in accordance with Article 17 of the Regulation of April 26, 1957, to submit in writing any allegations they deem appropriate regarding the nature and ownership of the assets. The writings must be addressed both to the General Directorate of Rural Development, Innovation and Agri-food Training, at Gran Vía de San Francisco 4-6 in Madrid, and to the beneficiary entity, the Comunidad de Regantes Canal de Villadangos, with headquarters at Plaza Mayor number 6 in Villadangos del Páramo.

The list of assets may be examined, from the day following publication in the Official State Gazette, in the Official Gazette of the Province of León, at the offices of the irrigation community, and at the town halls of the three affected municipalities. Information regarding the file is also available via telephones 987 25 75 41 and 678 71 52 91 of the beneficiary’s technical assistance.

Appearance and documentation schedule

The drawing up of records prior to occupation, and where applicable, definitive occupation, will take place at the following locations and times:

• Villadangos del Páramo Town Hall: November 17, 2026, from 10:00 to 14:00 hours.
• Santa Marina del Rey Town Hall: November 18, 2026, from 9:30 to 10:00 hours.
• Cimanes del Tejar Town Hall: November 18, 2026, from 11:00 to 14:00 hours.

Those summoned must appear personally or be represented by an authorized person, providing their National Identity Document and documents proving ownership of the property—public deed, certification from the Property Registry, or updated cadastral certification—as well as the lease agreement or other documents proving real or personal rights over the assets. They may be accompanied, at their own expense, by experts and notaries. Publication in the Official State Gazette serves as notification to unknown interested parties or those with an unknown address, in accordance with Law 39/2015, of October 1.

The resolution is signed by the Deputy Director General of Irrigation, Natural Paths, and Rural Infrastructure, Cristina Clemente Martínez, and by the Director General of Rural Development, Innovation, and Agri-food Training, Isabel Bombal Díaz, in application of Order APA/1511/2024, of December 2.

The modernization of the irrigation of the Canal de Villadangos directly affects the agricultural economy of the Páramo leonés: owners in the three municipalities must pay close attention to the November calendar, as the appearance in the preliminary record is the decisive procedure for determining the affected area and for discussing the valuation of their land before the actual occupation.

Source: Official Gazette of the Province of León, no. 201, October 22, 2026, section I, pp. 100-102 (official reference: BOP-LE-2026-201024).