All the same, like unwitting sirens, Binibeca Vell – and most pertinently, Poblado de Pescadores – have lured ever-increasing numbers of visitors to their doors, much to the chagrin of wearied residents. In the last few years, the management committee, representing the owners of the development, has bitterly complained to the local authorities about the appalling manners and intrusive behaviour of visitors, the relentless arrival of tourist coaches, and the increase in noise and refuse.
To defuse the situation, the island council and the development’s own town council in the municipality of Sant Lluís, offered approximately €25,000 (£21,154) towards refuse collection and maintenance, an offer which this year, was apparently partially withdrawn.
The termination of this additional funding created tension, with proprietors arguing that although the residence was privately owned, it had rapidly become an island tourist hotspot.
Óscar Monge, President of the committee of owners, said: “Binibeca is promoted by the administration and tourist companies but what do we gain from it?” In response to the snub, Poblado de Pescadores is now closed to visitors between 8pm and 11am each day, with its 22 entrances chained off. It also announced that in August, residents of the complex would vote to decide whether to remain open to visitors or to prohibit access to the entire development.