Legal: Urban planning news in Portugal

Public Prosecutor says Hilton hotel developer annexed public street land in Cascais to maintain seven floors. And the council accepted it

Construction work: stalemate between Lello, Mesquita, and the City Council

The contract ends this Saturday, but the Hazrat Hamza mosque does not plan to vacate the space. The City Council says it is unaware of Lello's request to postpone the works.

Building abandoned for 20 years in Louriçal may be demolished

Initially envisioned as a hotel and restaurant, then converted into social housing, the Green Look—which was never legalised—may have its days numbered.

Pinto Luz denies conflict of interest in the approval of the new Legal Regime for Urbanization and Building

The Minister of Infrastructure and Housing did not hide his indignation at the lightness with which very serious accusations are made and a person's good name is called into question.

Opposition councillors in Cascais point to conflicts of interest in Pinto Luz's legislative amendment

Opposition councillors in the Cascais municipal executive are not surprised by suspicions of conflicts of interest involving Minister Miguel Pinto Luz regarding changes to urban planning legislation, though the minister has denied the bill was tailored to his interests. According to Socialist councillor João Ruivo, the amendment to the legal regimes of Urbanisation and Building (RJUE)...

New urban planning law shortens deadline to challenge Pinto Luz's decisions in Cascais

The new Legal Regime for Urban Rehabilitation, approved by the government in May, has reduced the time limit for the Public Prosecutor's Office or citizens' movements to legally challenge municipal decisions regarding urban planning from ten to three years. According to Sábado magazine, the change benefits Miguel Pinto Luz, the current Minister of Infrastructure and Housing, who was vice-president...

Tar and feathers

Perhaps somewhere in the future we will have the grace to have a Lisbon City Council (CML) with vision, and then recover the time now lost. After all, as elected officials in the CML, are we European or Portuguese? Make up your minds! Opinion by Paulo Ferrero

Lisbon City Council admits "urban planning illegality" in the construction of the Estrela by Olivier kiosk

The Lisbon City Council has admitted to “urban planning illegality” regarding the Estrela by Olivier kiosk, which opened in June. The construction work was carried out “without prior municipal oversight,” triggering notification processes to regularise the situation, as well as administrative offence proceedings.

Lisbon City Council admits "urban planning illegality" in the construction of the new Jardim da Estrela kiosk

The Lisbon City Council admitted today “urban planning illegality” regarding the construction of the new kiosk in Jardim da Estrela, which was carried out “without prior municipal oversight,” triggering notification processes to regularise the situation, as well as administrative offence proceedings.

Lisbon City Council admits to "urban planning illegality" in the construction of the new Jardim da Estrela kiosk

Lisbon City Council has admitted that construction work on the new Jardim da Estrela kiosk was carried out without prior municipal approval. The council has initiated legalisation and administrative offence proceedings. The kiosk, operated by Paragens Épicas in partnership with chef Olivier da Costa, has faced criticism from opposition parties regarding its structural changes and lack of proper licensing. Mayor Carlos Moedas's administration stated that measures are being taken to address the illegality, though the future of the concession remains unclear.

Lisbon City Council admits "urban planning illegality" in the construction of the new Jardim da Estrela kiosk

In a written response to the Lusa agency, the office of the Mayor of Lisbon, Carlos Moedas (PSD), indicated that an inspection of the new Jardim da Estrela kiosk was carried out, which found “works without prior municipal control,” and therefore “the necessary measures to oversee urban planning legality have been initiated.”

Porto City Council and PSP launch security plan in Pasteleira, Fluvial, and Aleixo

The plan covers Priority Intervention Zones. Various locations in the city are undergoing interventions in security, social action, health, and urban cleaning. A Municipal Overnight Centre is opening to provide support.

Legal expert says positive impacts outweigh negative ones in the urbanisation of Quinta dos Ingleses

A technician from Cascais City Council added that the Detailed Plan for the Carcavelos South Urban Restructuring Area specified all maximum parameters for construction areas, housing units, and land concessions.

Carris aims to launch tender for the Glória Funicular next year and have it operational by 2029

Carris president Rui Lopo announced that the company plans to launch an international tender in the first quarter of next year for the design and construction of a new Glória Funicular, following the 2025 accident that destroyed the original. The new project will focus on safety, accessibility, and sustainability while preserving the historical identity of the Calçada da Glória. Lisbon City Council, the sole shareholder, has requested a transparent and exemplary process, with officials estimating that the new funicular could be operational by 2029.

More on the felling of the monumental stone pine in Lisbon: a train of illegalities

A tree in a public or private space can be felled, but the decision cannot be made outside the rules that the law and the city council itself establish for the management of arboreal heritage.

Courage is needed!

Oura does not need more measures just for show.

CDU files complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding urban planning protocol in Loures that 'may have cost the municipality over one million euros'

PCP councillor reports that Loures City Council 'accepted an exchange for unvalued land'. This is the second time in a year that CDU/Loures has reported urban planning operations in the municipality to the Public Prosecutor's Office.

Neves' wife and son received at Odemira City Council

In the meeting with those responsible for urban planning at Odemira City Council, the family members and a representative of the minister informed the local authority that they had requested three expert opinions.

CDU files complaint with the Public Prosecutor's Office regarding urban planning protocol in Loures

Loures City Council exchanged 1.1 million euros owed by developers for two plots of land in Santa Iria de Azóia, according to the CDU.

Shop and gym in Caldas cinema lack Ministry approval

Just as with the La Vie centre in Guarda, the repurposing of the cinema halls was not approved, yet conversion works proceeded and new spaces are opening soon. The Ministry has referred oversight to the IGAC.

Chega councillor in Odemira requests documents regarding construction works by Minister Luís Neves

Manuel Matias, a Chega councillor in Odemira, has requested all documentation concerning urban planning processes related to properties owned by the Minister of Internal Administration, Luís Neves, demanding transparency. The Odemira City Council is currently verifying the legality of works carried out at the minister's private property in São Teotónio. The controversy follows reports that the minister hired a construction company for his private renovations that had previously been awarded public contracts by the Judicial Police during his tenure as national director. Minister Luís Neves has denied any wrongdoing, stating he is available to present invoices and will provide further clarifications at the appropriate time. Meanwhile, the Chega party has announced plans to push for a parliamentary inquiry into Luís Neves's time leading the Judicial Police.

Illegal house in Caniçada to be demolished

The house was built in an area with “strongly restrictive” protection mechanisms, having submitted photographs of “alleged ruins”. The project developers and the author of the project were convicted.

Odemira City Council is investigating the legality of construction work on Luís Neves' property

Faced with suspicions of “irregular urban planning operations,” the local authority says it will investigate the situation. The minister states that the work included a “wall, bathroom, and porch” where a “tank” was installed.

Former mayor of Odemira says minister Luís Neves “committed a failure”

Cláudio Percheiro claims that building a swimming pool in an agricultural and “non-urbanisable” area requires municipal intervention. The City Council will investigate the “suspicions raised”.

Odemira City Council opens investigation into Minister Luís Neves over 'irregular urban planning operations'

The local authority contradicts the minister's version of events, who stated in an interview last Sunday on NOW that the licensing procedures for the works were being handled.

Odemira City Council inspects Luís Neves' house

Without a license or notification of works, the Odemira City Council contradicts the Minister of Internal Administration and announces an investigation into alleged urban planning irregularities.

Loures City Council still waiting for justice to proceed with the demolition of the rest of the Talude neighbourhood

A year ago, the Loures City Council began the demolition of dozens of shacks in the Talude neighbourhood. The local authority aimed to demolish 64 shacks, but an injunction suspended the process at the time.

In the Talude neighbourhood, in Loures, shacks remain standing, just like the memory of the demolitions

One year after the high-profile demolitions in Talude Militar, 70 shacks remain. There is a lack of water, electricity, and addresses. The Loures City Council states it maintains the goal of 'eradicating precarious and illegal constructions'.

Heritage protection NGO requests “urgent clarifications” from Porto City Council regarding works in the centre

The International Council on Monuments and Sites has questioned Porto City Council as to whether the works in the historic centre “were approved and on what grounds”.