The Bellaterra és Sant Cugat platform initiated the process in 2019, collecting over 1,100 signatures and citing neglect by Cerdanyola. The technical report from the Sant Cugat City Council supported the request, indicating that the integration is viable, despite the firm opposition from the Cerdanyola City Council.
“"Urbanistically, Bellaterra can only grow towards Sant Cugat. The public transport connection is more sustainable and easier, especially for people who do not have a private vehicle."
Proponents of the annexation, such as Matilda Olivera and Manel Rivera, emphasize the social and geographical proximity to Sant Cugat and the historical lack of services and maintenance by Cerdanyola. Rivera notes that over 60% of the population has formally expressed this desire.
Another point of contention is the maintenance of the Decentralized Municipal Entity (EMD) status. While residents like Quique Cots consider preserving the EMD essential to ensure a self-governing center, others like Olivera and Clascà view the administrative status as secondary to the priority of integrating into Sant Cugat.
The political debate is intense. The Mayor of Cerdanyola, Carlos Cordón (PSC), called the report “serious disloyalty” and vowed to use all legal mechanisms to defend the municipality's integrity. Conversely, the Deputy Mayor of Sant Cugat, Jordi Puigneró (Junts), defended the technical document as a step towards respecting the residents' will. The Generalitat has six months to make a decision, expected by March.
