La Cañada secures approval for major expansion after years of planning hurdles.
La Cañada has consolidated its position as the largest shopping centre in Malaga province. After more than a decade of urban planning disputes, Marbella town hall yesterday granted planning permission for a new extension of more than 20,000 square metres. Just two weeks earlier, councillors had also approved the creation of additional parking spaces in a new underground car park.
The expansion will increase the retail area from 100,000 to 120,000 square metres. Municipal spokesperson Félix Romero confirmed that the €12 million building permit will generate €500,000 in tax revenue for local coffers, while also boosting Marbella’s commercial offering.
The retail hub currently spans 100,000 square metres, with reports suggesting it has 150 shops and restaurants, including major chains like Starbucks and high-end brands. It’s situated just of the A-7 highway in Marbella, and is a major commercial centre in the Costa del Sol.
Construction will take place next to the FNAC entrance, though no start date has yet been confirmed. Mayor Ángeles Muñoz stressed that the project is undergoing full technical and legal review by town hall staff to ensure compliance with regulations before execution.
La Cañada has operated for 30 years, having been built in three phases during the Gil administration – two of them with licences that later proved non-compliant with planning law. Ever since, the shopping centre has sought to normalise its status amid legal and bureaucratic battles over its urban planning credentials.
In 2019, a regulatory change made it possible to expand space for Irish fashion retailer Primark, expected to generate 200 jobs. However, the project stalled when Marbella town hall denied a building permit, arguing the plans conflicted with the 2010 general development plan (PGOU). Despite this, work began without authorisation, leading to a council-ordered suspension and fines. The centre appealed, claiming unused permitted space justified the expansion, but courts ruled in favour of the town hall.
Ultimately, the council approved a revision of the 1986 PGOU, allowing increases in built surface area provided the external structure remains unchanged. Looking ahead, Marbella’s urban development will be guided by the new PGOM and POU frameworks, which aim to bring greater clarity to planning disputes.
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