The Madrid Court has ruled in favour of the Community of Madrid in the litigation regarding the La Cantueña centre for minors, recognising its exclusive ownership and condemning Fuenlabrada City Council to costs.
The Madrid Court has issued a ruling that puts an end, at least judicially, to the standoff between the Community of Madrid and Fuenlabrada City Council over the first reception centre for unaccompanied foreign minors at La Cantueña. The ruling, announced this Tuesday, acknowledges the exclusive ownership of the estate by the regional government and dismisses any attempt by the City Council to interfere in its management.
The resolution fully upholds the claim made by the Community of Madrid and condemns Fuenlabrada City Council to costs. According to the ruling, the regional administration holds the "sole and exclusive property" of the land, meaning the City Council cannot obstruct the exercise of regional competencies regarding the protection of minors.
A Conflict That Became Stalemated in 2024
The legal battle dates back to July 2024, when the Local Government Board of Fuenlabrada, then governed by the PSOE, approved the reversal of the free transfer of the estate. The municipal argument was that the intended use by the Community of Madrid (a minors' centre) did not align with the purpose for which the land had originally been ceded.
The regional government immediately appealed, arguing that the estate was its property and that the City Council lacked the authority to reverse it. The Administrative Court number 32 of Madrid had already ruled in its favour in the first instance, annulling the municipal agreement. Now, the civil jurisdiction reinforces that criterion.
At the same time, the courts also rejected the precautionary measures requested by the City Council to halt the construction of the centre. Both the Administrative Court and the High Court of Justice of Madrid (TSJM) considered that the public interest in caring for minors prevailed, allowing the facilities to be completed and start operating.
A Judicial Backing That Clears the Centre's Future
The new ruling, coming from the civil jurisdiction, serves to strengthen the position of the Community of Madrid. By expressly recognising its exclusive ownership, it rules out any municipal interference in the management of the property. The ruling not only affects the past but also prevents future obstacles from the City Council regarding the centre's operation.
The La Cantueña centre is part of the regional network for the first reception of minors under the guardianship of the Community of Madrid. It was established to address the increase in arrivals of unaccompanied foreign minors sent to the region. Since its inception, the infrastructure has been at the centre of political debate, with criticisms from Fuenlabrada City Council regarding its location and capacity.
For the residents of Fuenlabrada, the judicial resolution represents a turning point. The centre is already operational, and with this ruling, its operation is consolidated without the possibility of new municipal obstacles. The ruling is final and cannot be subject to ordinary appeal, although the City Council could attempt a protection appeal before the Constitutional Court.
The regional government has celebrated the judicial decision. Sources from the Ministry of Family, Youth and Social Policy have stated that the ruling "endorses the legality of the actions" of the Community and allows them to "continue working on the protection of minors." For its part, Fuenlabrada City Council has not yet officially commented, although municipal sources indicate they are studying the ruling to decide on the next steps.
With this ruling, the Community of Madrid gains another judicial backing in its standoff with Fuenlabrada City Council. The La Cantueña estate, measuring almost 20,000 square metres, will continue to house the minors' centre, a resource that the regional government considers key to caring for unaccompanied minors arriving in the region.
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