Santa Pau suspends commercial licenses to draft a special urban plan

The Santa Pau City Council has suspended the granting of licenses, authorizations, and communications for the implementation or expansion of seven types of commercial activities, as well as renovation works for premises linked to these uses. The decision was approved by Mayor’s Decree number 2026DECR000395, dated September 24, 2026, and was published in the Official Gazette of the Province of Girona number 187, dated September 29, 2026 (reference BOP-2026_0_187_8368, pp. 1-5). The suspension has a maximum duration of one year and serves to study and formulate a Special Urban Plan for uses and activities.

One year of suspension to study planning

The decree, processed under file X2026001016, establishes that the suspension covers both the processing of procedures and the granting of municipal enabling titles. Files already under processing when the suspension takes effect will be interrupted, and the interested parties will be notified.

The measure is framed within article 73.1 of the Recast Text of the Urbanism Law, approved by Legislative Decree 1/2010, of August 3, and articles 101 to 104 of the Regulations of the Urbanism Law (Decree 305/2006, of July 18). Article 74 stipulates that this discretionary suspension cannot exceed one year. The precedents are a Mayor’s Provision dated September 18, 2026, and a report from the municipal Secretariat-Intervention of the same date.

Groceries, bakery, and gifts: the affected uses

The activities included in the suspension are:

• Butcher shops and groceries.
• Groceries (foodstuffs).
• Bakery with workshop.
• Bread bakery and pastry shop.
• Dairy and derivatives.
• Gifts.
• Gift objects.

The suspension also covers urban planning licenses and prior communications for renovation, rehabilitation, adaptation, or conditioning works of premises when they are directly linked to the new implementation or expansion of these activities. The territorial scope is limited to the area delimited in the map of Annex I, prepared by the municipal technical services of the Garrotxa County Council, which will remain available to the public at the municipal offices throughout the duration of the suspension.

The report warning about supermarkets and convenience stores

The decree is also based on a report by Ms. Itziar González Virós, urban architect and advisor on commercial urbanism from the General Directorate of Commerce of the Generalitat de Catalunya, dated September 24, 2026.

This report analyzes the commercial reality of the municipality and highlights the balance between small-format and local commerce, typical and agri-food products —especially those linked to the DOP Fesol de Santa Pau—, essential services and first-necessity establishments, catering, accommodation, and tourist activity. It also expresses concern regarding the possible implementation of grocery sales initiatives such as supermarkets, convenience stores, and gift shops, especially when they incorporate extended hours, and points out the negative effects of these dynamics on neighborhood life and the urban environment.

The stated objective is to approve an urban regulation consistent with the current POUM, based on urban planning criteria and the protection of the environment and the urban surroundings, through proportionate and non-discriminatory measures.

Procedures and appeals

The decree, signed by Mayor Cristina Capó Piris on September 25, 2026, provides for the resolution to be reported at the next Plenary session. Against the resolution, which exhausts the administrative route, the following may be filed:

• An optional appeal for reversal (recurso de reposición) before the Mayor’s Office within one month from the day following publication.
• A contentious-administrative appeal before the Contentious-Administrative Section of the Court of First Instance of Girona within two months.

The suspension freezes for one year any opening or expansion of food and gift shops within the delimited area, as well as renovations of premises linked to these uses. Developers and merchants will have to wait for the formulation of the new Special Plan to know the conditions under which they may be implemented, a timeframe that may affect projects already underway in the municipality.

Fuente: Official Gazette of the Province of Girona, no. 187, September 29, 2026, Local Administration - City Councils, pp. 1-5 (official reference: BOP-2026_0_187_8368).