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Plans to reopen the El Portús campsite this summer without its traditional naturist character have intensified tensions between its new corporate owners and the last remaining residents.

 

While the complex, now managed by Taiga Resorts Costa Cálida, is being refurbished with a view to welcoming visitors in August 2025, seven households continue to occupy their homes inside the site, resisting what they view as forced and unfair eviction amid ongoing legal proceedings.

 

The situation follows a broader conflict that began after the acquisition of the campsite by an investment group in 2023. Authorities notified the new owners that, under regional tourism laws, campsites may not sell or lease permanent plots, nor allow year-round occupation. This clashed with longstanding arrangements in which properties were apparently bought and sold without regulatory interference.

 

The residents who have refused compensation offers are now living in increasingly difficult conditions. Rosa Llopis, one of those few still at the site, described what she called “psychological torture” on the part of the owners due to surveillance, restricted movement and limited access to essentials.

 

“We haven’t moved from here since January because we’re afraid if we go out, we’ll be left without a home,” she said. She claims she and her son rely on donations for food and basic supplies. According to Llopis, other residents include elderly people, some of whom are expats, who are permitted to leave for medical needs and shopping.

 

Renovation work at the site has continued despite the unresolved status of these residents. The operator says the site will relaunch with a new model focused on year-round, sustainable tourism. A company spokesperson confirmed that the naturist aspect of the campsite had been discontinued and that refurbished mobile homes and apartments would form part of the new offer, alongside facilities such as swimming pools, restaurants and outdoor activity services.

 

“We are working to promote the use of native species, reduce traffic and adopt principles of traditional architecture,” the company said.

 

But the legal conflict remains active. Several residents have filed complaints with the environmental division of the Guardia Civil, SEPRONA, alleging violations of land use planning laws. A lawyer representing some of the claimants noted that the cases are still under investigation and declined to comment further.

 

Meanwhile, Taiga Resorts maintains that it has always acted “in good faith”, asserting that all plots remain the legal property of the campsite and that rentals have been conducted in accordance with current laws. It claims that out of 40,000 annual visitors, only a small minority of former residents – 26 individuals – have resisted compliance and are “misrepresenting the situation for financial gain”.

 

“There have been neither forced evictions nor violent attitudes on the part of the campsite workers,” they say. “The refurbishment works of the campsite are legal. We work correctly to ensure that it complies with current regulations and we are aligned with the competent administrations.”

 

 

But that’s only one aspect of this twisted saga. At the same time, controversy continues over public access to Cala Morena beach, historically accessible via the campsite or a precarious path over rocks. Since renovation work started at the site, Cala Morena has been effectively unreachable.

 

The Cala Morena Association has called for a protest this Sunday May 11 at 11am, demanding that safe, free access be restored and to “show their support ‘for the owners who have been deprived of their freedom for months”. Activists argue that the campsite owners have effectively “privatised” the beach in violation of Spain’s Coastal Law. They also claim the wall separating the campsite from the beach is non-compliant with legal standards.

 

Taiga Resorts denies any intention to restrict access and insists it has no legal obligation to provide passage through its property. However, it acknowledges that provisional access has been arranged during renovation works “in compliance with safety regulations”.

 

It said the current route was proposed in good faith and is in regular use. Discussions with the association continue, although the group has rejected what it calls a “narrow fenced channel” as insufficient.

 

“In any case, there is no right of way affecting the campsite facilities. Even so, we are in talks with the public administrations involved to find the best alternative for all interested parties once the facilities are reopened,” stated Taiga Resorts.

 

The Coastal Demarcation of the Region of Murcia has already begun the procedures to expropriate the land necessary to guarantee pedestrian access to Cala Morena, according to the spokesman of the Municipal Socialist Group, Manolo Torres.

 

“We know that meetings have been held between the owners, the affected neighbours and Costas to try to speed up the procedures and agree on the access,” he said. “However, and since this agreement has not yet been reached, Costas has initiated the compulsory expropriation proceedings to guarantee, in any case, access to the beach, which is a public space that anyone who wants to can enjoy.”

 

With summer approaching, the fate of the final residents, legal clarity on land use and access to the coastline remain unresolved. As the company pushes ahead with its rebranding and reopening plans, the tensions at El Portús reflect a wider struggle between community legacy and commercial redevelopment in the sensitive coastal area of Murcia. The saga continues.

 

 

Images: Chris Miller