WILLEMSTAD – The Monuments Council of Curaçao has issued a formal letter to Curoil director Yamil Lasten, demanding the immediate removal of recently installed solar panels on the company’s parking lot along Scharlooweg. According to the heritage body, the installation was carried out without a building permit and lacks proper construction oversight, violating the Building and Housing Ordinance. 

As a result, the structural safety and stability of the solar installation are unclear. The council has called for an immediate halt to all construction work at the site. 

Historic Area Under Special Protection 

The area in question is part of historic Willemstad, a protected zone due to its cultural and architectural significance. The council argues that the new construction harms the integrity of the historical surroundings and violates the Island Development Plan (EOP), which regulates building in heritage zones. 

In 2024, the Ministry of Traffic, Transport and Urban Planning (VVRP), in cooperation with the Netherlands' Cultural Heritage Agency, drafted a policy memorandum aimed at preserving the core qualities of the historic city center. 

Widespread Concern and Call for Immediate Stop 

At least seven organizations, including the Monuments Council, have voiced strong opposition and are calling for an immediate building ban at the location. They warn that allowing this project to continue could set a dangerous precedent for other protected districts like Punda, Pietermaai, and Otrobanda. 

The Monuments Council emphasized that failure to act now could lead to permanent damage to the historic character of Curaçao’s inner city. 

“Curoil, as a semi-governmental entity, should be setting an example,” the council stated. 

This development adds pressure on both Curoil and local authorities to address growing concerns about urban heritage preservation and regulatory enforcement in protected areas.