Drove Road (Vía Pecuaria) Delimitation

What drove road delimitation is

Drove road delimitation is the administrative procedure whereby the competent authority precisely establishes the route, width and physical boundaries of a drove road, on the basis of title deeds, cadastral data and historical records, when those boundaries are not clearly defined or there are discrepancies with the current physical reality of the land. It is a frequent procedure in renewable-energy and infrastructure projects that cross or adjoin catalogued drove roads.

Drove roads are protected under Spanish Law 3/1995 on Drove Roads and its regional implementing legislation, and form part of the public domain, so any occupation or effect requires a specific permit from the body competent in drove road matters.

When it is necessary

• When the real route of the drove road on the ground does not match the available official mapping, creating uncertainty over the project's real effect.
• When the project requires a temporary or permanent occupation of the drove road and the authority requires prior delimitation as part of the file.
• When there are boundary conflicts between the drove road and adjoining properties that must be resolved before any action is authorised.

How it is processed

1. Compilation of records: the historical classification project of the drove road, cadastral mapping, historical orthophotos and other documents evidencing the original route.
2. Topographic survey of the real route on the ground, with georeferenced coordinates.
3. Preparation of the boundary proposal with the legal width established in the classification project.
4. Public consultation and notification to adjoining owners.
5. Administrative resolution approving the definitive boundary.

Relationship with drove road occupation in renewable projects

In renewable-energy projects, prior delimitation makes it possible to define precisely the exact area to be requested for occupation, avoiding unauthorised effects that could trigger formal requirements or penalties during construction. This procedure is usually coordinated with the drove road occupation permit and with the rest of the project's environmental documentation.

Why choose Ideas Medioambientales

We handle drove road delimitations and occupation permits for renewable-energy and infrastructure projects across the whole of Spain, coordinating the process with the competent regional authority and with the rest of the project's sector permits. Our in-house multidisciplinary team, with more than 25 years of experience and ISO 9001, 14001 and 45001 certification, works across the whole of Spain from our offices in Albacete and Madrid.

Tell us whether your project affects a drove road and we will tell you which procedure you need and how long it may take to resolve.