Public information on the environmental study of a super-intensive olive grove in Badajoz

The Regional Ministry of Industry, Energy, Science and Territory of the Regional Government of Extremadura has opened for public consultation the environmental impact study for the super-intensive olive grove transformation and planting project promoted by Promociones Al-Ándalus 1955, SL in the municipal districts of Badajoz and La Roca de la Sierra (Badajoz). The announcement, dated August 28, 2026, is published in the Official Gazette of Extremadura (DOE) number 197, dated October 13, 2026, with official reference 2026081523 and case number IA25/1005. Interested parties have a period of thirty days, starting from the day following the publication, to examine the documentation and submit suggestions and allegations.

The procedure is based on Article 66 of Law 16/2015, of April 23, on environmental protection of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. The project is subject to an ordinary environmental impact assessment as it is included in Annex I, Group 1, point c), of Royal Decree 445/2023, of June 13, which modifies Annexes I, II, and III of Law 21/2013, of December 9, on environmental assessment.

Irrigation fed by six boreholes

The purpose of the project is the transformation and planting of super-intensive olive groves in three areas, with the following territorial distribution:

• Areas “La Cuba”, “Pesquerito”, and “Loma de Charco Frío”.
• Polygon 536, plot 1, and polygon 535, plot 3, of the municipal district of Badajoz.
• Polygon 14, plot 224, of the municipal district of La Roca de la Sierra (Badajoz).

The water required for irrigation in the project area comes from groundwater extracted from six boreholes located on the estates themselves. The granting of water concessions for irrigation corresponds to the Guadiana Hydrographic Confederation, while the planning of hydraulic resources of agricultural interest and irrigation actions fall under the General Directorate of Irrigation and Rural Infrastructure of the Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Natural Environment, in accordance with Law 6/2015, of March 24, the Agricultural Law of Extremadura.

Thirty days to file allegations electronically

The environmental impact study may be examined for a period of thirty days on the electronic headquarters of the environmental body, accessible at the address http://extremambiente.gobex.es/. During this period, natural or legal persons may submit any suggestions and allegations they deem appropriate:

• At any of the locations provided for in Article 7 of Decree 257/2009, of December 18, which implements a Single Registry System in the Administration of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura.
• At any of the locations indicated in Article 16.4 of Law 39/2015, of October 1, on the Common Administrative Procedure of Public Administrations.
• Addressed to the Prevention, Environmental Quality and Climate Change Service of the General Directorate for Sustainable Management and Forestry Policy.

Who decides and what effects the declaration will have

The competent body to issue the environmental impact declaration is the General Directorate for Sustainable Management and Forestry Policy, of the Ministry of Industry, Energy, Science and Territory, as provided for in Article 17.6 of Decree 18/2026, of April 30, which establishes the basic organic structure of the Administration of the Autonomous Community of Extremadura. The declaration shall produce, under its own terms, the effects of rural classification, accrediting the urban suitability of the real estate properties on which the activity is intended to be implemented, as provided for in Article 71.3 of Law 16/2015, of April 23.

The announcement was signed in Mérida on August 28, 2026, by the Director General for Sustainable Management and Forestry Policy, Juan Eloy Rodríguez Ucedo.

The opening of this procedure directly affects the residents of Badajoz and La Roca de la Sierra and the agricultural sector of the region, who now have one month to comment on the environmental effects of an intensive irrigated plantation on rural land. The resolution adopted at the end of the procedure will determine whether the project can be executed and under what environmental and urban conditions.

Source: Official Gazette of Extremadura, number 197, of October 13, 2026, section IV Announcements (official reference: 2026081523).