The group Últimes Vesprades a Mestalla has approached the Valencia City Hall requesting a technical opinion on the Nou Mestalla project’s executive design.

Will the city finally address the Architect’s College’s concerns?

A request has been submitted asking for a comment on key aspects of the executive design of the new Valencia CF stadium, presented on October 11. This appeal is linked to the ongoing debate about whether Valencia should remain at its current Mestalla stadium, as the club seeks approval for a loan of up to €325 million to finish the construction of the new stadium, for which €172 million has already been invested. The city hall has already granted the necessary permits for the project, and urban planning plans enabling its completion were approved with the support of opposition groups.

The creators of the Mestalla per al futur initiative, which brings together experts in engineering, architecture, law, and finance to open a debate on the impact of the future stadium on the club and the city, have raised several key issues in their request. These concerns were presented to the public during an event on December 2 at the Valencia Architects’ College. The request calls for the City Hall to take a stance on critical issues such as: compliance with existing regulations, progress of the project in relation to the granted construction permits, technical and economic feasibility, and the requirement to meet the same standards as public projects.

This submission arises from concerns about the lack of clarity regarding key normative and technical aspects of the project. According to Últimes Vesprades a Mestalla, the scale of the project and its impact on the city necessitate that the municipal administration guarantees maximum transparency and conducts a thorough technical analysis. The importance of ensuring compliance with regulations and protecting public interest has also been emphasized.

© Valencia CF

The Nou Mestalla project faces widespread criticism

The resumption of the Nou Mestalla construction also raises concerns among many other experts. Javier Machí, dean of the Valencia College of Roads, Canals, and Ports Engineers, warned of significant issues with the new stadium project. If this isn’t fixed, it’s dangerous. I wouldn’t sign it, because then I’ll be held legally responsible, he firmly stated, referring to the technical flaws he believes exist in the current stadium project, in an interview with Radio Marca Valencia.

Machí, who has extensive experience in large-scale projects such as the Valencia Formula 1 track, argues that the project is neither constructive nor feasible in its current state. There are elements with corrosion and cracks; these will need to be fixed, he assured, while questioning the accuracy of the measurements and the budget proposed by the club.

© Valencia CF

Could the court annul the urban planning plan?

Meanwhile, the Libertad VCF Association has filed a lawsuit with the Tribunal Superior de Justicia de la Comunitat Valenciana (TSJCV), claiming there are irregularities in the urban planning around Avenida de Aragón, where Mestalla stadium is located, and regarding the great interest of Peter Lim, the club’s majority shareholder. There are so many fundamental irregularities, such as the fact that the plan for Avenida de Aragón did not foresee the sports site, Mestalla stadium, being transformed into land for residential development. It did not include the mandatory allocation of a portion of the apartments for VPO (protected housing), as required, said José Pérez, a member of Libertad VCF, in a conversation with EFE.

The urban planning plan, criticized by Libertad VCF, is part of the fichas urbanísticas approved by the Valencia City Council on July 23 during a council meeting. The association hopes that the court will declare the plan invalid.

© Valencia CF