The construction of a small-scale hotel in a borda within the Bonabé forest, located in the municipality of Alt Àneu and within the boundaries of the Alt Pirineu Natural Park, faces a significant condition: it must close for six months annually. This measure, stipulated in the environmental impact assessment issued by the Generalitat, aims to prevent adverse effects on the Natura 2000 network.
The resolution explicitly states that "the period of exclusion of the hotel's tourist activity, to avoid affecting the conservation elements of the Natura 2000 site, must comprise the period between November 1st and April 30th, provided there is no snow presence in the sector". Mayor Josep Miquel Rosell considers this point, along with others, as "unviable" for the project's execution, although promoters have requested a "reformulation".
Rosell has also expressed doubts about its viability due to the lack of an electricity line in the area and insufficient natural light for self-powering solar panels. Furthermore, he questions why a new establishment is being built when there might be properties suitable for rehabilitation. The project, initially deemed "disproportionate" and presented in 2017, has been considerably reduced in size, from an initial 1,279.76 m² to the current 793.6 m², and its accommodation capacity has also been decreased.
The project's location explains the administrative requirements. The area boasts significant floral uniqueness, hosting habitats of community interest and species listed as threatened in the Catalog of Threatened Flora of Catalonia, such as the Saponaria bellidifolia. The environmental declaration also includes measures to protect the brown bear, a species with two breeding areas in the park.
Additionally, the reconstruction of a crossing over the Noguera Pallaresa river is required to access the borda, as the previous wooden bridge disappeared in 2013. The Socampo lever must be rebuilt before work begins in the borda's vicinity, and the passage of machinery through the river is prohibited. The project has raised concerns among local residents and environmental groups.
