El Hierro Greenlights Major New Industrial Estate
The island of El Hierro has taken a decisive step towards establishing its second industrial estate, a move set to provide a significant economic boost. The island council (Cabildo) has given its final approval for the modification of the General Town Planning Plan (PGO) for La Frontera, clearing the way for the urban development of an industrial area in this municipality.
Location and Land Ownership
The new zone will be situated in El Matorral, right next to the Campo Agricultural Cooperative. The plots, covering a total of 84,186 square metres, will host an industrial estate with mixed public-private ownership. As detailed by the Mayor of La Frontera, Pablo Rodríguez, 70% of the land is owned by the El Hierro Cabildo (61,731 sq m), with the remaining 30% (22,455 sq m) in private hands.
A Transformative Project for the Island
This initiative is described as vital for El Hierro’s future, marking “a before and after for La Frontera and for the entire Island,” according to Mayor Rodríguez. He emphasises that it will be “the island’s first major industrial estate” and will allow the local authority to “increase and strengthen the productive fabric, and create opportunities and jobs for the people of El Hierro.” The capital, Valverde, already hosts one industrial estate, El Majano, which is notable for being home to the Environmental Complex that receives and treats waste from all three of the island’s municipalities: Valverde, La Frontera, and El Pinar.
Initial Works and Official Approval
Before work can begin on installing industrial units, an illegal landfill currently occupying parts of the El Matorral plots must be cleared. This requirement is specified in the publication last week of the definitive approval for the modification of La Frontera’s General Town Planning Plan in the Official Bulletin of the Canary Islands. The area occupied by this unauthorised waste will need to be cleaned up and made safe.
Combating Depopulation
Mayor Rodríguez states that besides being “a fundamental incentive for the economic growth of La Frontera,” this new estate—to be named the La Frontera Industrial Zone—”will help to secure and continue increasing the municipality’s population.” This addresses a concerning trend of depopulation that had threatened La Frontera’s future. Demographics are crucial on an island with just 11,806 inhabitants. La Frontera’s population peaked in 2006 with 5,733 residents, then fell sharply over the next two years to 3,941 registered inhabitants in 2008. However, since 2015, this municipality in the north of El Hierro has seen a slow but steady recovery. Mayor Rodríguez notes that this upward trend has continued this year, with 132 more residents registered in 2025 (4,660) than in 2024 (4,528).
Consolidating Industry and Permitted Uses
The new El Matorral industrial estate will allow for the consolidation into one purpose-built space of all those activities currently located in La Frontera that cause a nuisance to residents. Furthermore, as outlined in the project documentation regarding conditions of use, the estate will be able to host industrial activities and others related to the local environment, such as wholesale or specialised commerce. With the aim of improving equality between men and women in business, it may also host workplace childcare facilities and services for dependent persons.
Budget, Phases, and Sector Engagement
The development of the La Frontera Industrial Zone has a base tender budget of €7.2 million and is planned in three phases. The Vice-President and Councillor for Infrastructure, Maintenance, Works and Roads of the El Hierro Cabildo, David Cabrera, has already presented the initiative to various productive sectors, including the El Hierro Association of Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises and the Centre for Tourism Initiatives.
David Cabrera explained that the purpose of this project is to “provide strategic industrial land that allows for the relocation of industrial activities currently dispersed throughout the municipality of La Frontera, and the establishment of new economic activities, such as storage, workshops, and retail, among others.”
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