In short
In Nerja and Maro we fill in or remove pools, demolish terraces and garden structures, and clear the plot after the work. Nerja is the easternmost municipality of La Axarquía, most of its land lies in the Sierra de Almijara and the north is cut by ravines, so many pools sit on steep plots where water runs fast. Near the Cave of Nerja, an archaeological zone, a técnico must confirm the procedure first.
Between the sea and the Sierra de Almijara
Nerja is the easternmost municipality of La Axarquía, with more than 14 km of coastline, but most of its land is mountain: the Sierra de Almijara covers the greater part of the municipality, which lies within the Sierras de Tejeda, Almijara y Alhama Natural Park. Villas therefore sit on a narrow band between the sea and steep ground, and many gardens step down the slope in terraces.
The typical requests we get here:
- a pool on a terrace that the owner no longer uses, turned into garden or a sun deck through a pool infill;
- an old pool removed completely so that a new one can be built in a better position – a full pool demolition;
- covered terraces, barbecue areas and small storerooms taken down through terrace and outbuilding demolition.
Ravines and rain: why drainage decides the infill
The north of the municipality is steep and cut by many ravines, and the Chíllar river comes down from the sierra to the sea right by the town. On plots shaped by that terrain, heavy autumn rain runs across gardens in a few minutes. A pool filled with loose soil and an intact floor would collect that water and soften the terrace around it.
So in Nerja we treat drainage as the first design question of an infill. The floor of the pool is broken open in several places, the walls are cut down below the finished level, clean crushed rubble goes in as a draining base, and soil is added in compacted layers. The final surface is graded so that water flows away from the house and from any retaining wall. The guide on compaction and drainage in a pool infill describes each layer.
The Cave of Nerja and other protected ground
The Cave of Nerja has been a Bien de Interés Cultural in the category of archaeological zone since 2005. In Andalusia, demolition is generally done by declaración responsable, but demolition in an archaeological zone, in a protected setting or of a protected building still needs a licencia urbanística. For a property near the cave, near Maro or in any area your técnico considers sensitive, the procedure has to be confirmed with the Ayuntamiento de Nerja before anything is booked.
Elsewhere in the municipality the same check applies: the town hall sets its own documents and timings, and a skip on the public road needs an occupation permit. The owner and their técnico deal with those applications, and we work with their documentation.
Plots near the natural park: clearing up after demolition
Because so much of Nerja borders forest land, many villas fall within the Zona de Influencia Forestal, the band of land within 400 m of forest areas where owners have fire-prevention duties. After a pool or terrace demolition we take away the rubble, broken concrete and old fittings, and leave the plot clean through our plot clearance service. Pure scrub clearing is not a standard service, so ask us before relying on it; the guide on plot clearing and fire-prevention rules sets out the owner's side.
Narrow lanes in Maro and around the old town often mean a small lorry and more trips rather than one large load. You can follow it all in English with photos at each stage. For demolishing a whole house, see house demolition in Nerja on our sister site.
Services
Pool fill in: turning an unwanted pool into solid garden
Break down the top of the shell, drain the floor and backfill in compacted layers – the pool disappears and the garden comes back.
Pool removal and pool demolition on the Costa del Sol
Full or partial removal of concrete and block pools, including coping, pool beach and plant room, with sorted rubble and compacted backfill.
Terrace demolition, pergola removal and outbuilding demolition
Tiled terraces, porches, pergolas, pool houses, sheds and single garages removed and sorted, so the garden can start again.
Plot clearance and site clearance after demolition
Clearing the plot after a demolition: rubble, footings and debris removed, waste sorted with receipts, ground left clean and safe.
Frequently asked questions
Do you work in Maro as well as in Nerja town?
Yes. We cover the whole municipality, including Maro and the villa areas on the slopes above the coast.
My plot is near the Cave of Nerja. Can the pool still be removed?
Usually yes, but the cave is an archaeological zone, so demolition nearby may need a licence rather than a declaración responsable. Your técnico should confirm it with the ayuntamiento first.
Heavy rain runs across my garden. Will a filled-in pool sink?
Not if the floor is broken open for drainage and the backfill is compacted in layers. A pool simply filled with loose soil is what causes sinking.
Can you clear the scrub around my villa for fire prevention?
We clear what the demolition leaves behind. Vegetation clearing on its own is not a standard service, so contact us before planning on it.
Can a lorry get to a villa on a narrow lane above Nerja?
Often only a small one. We then load in smaller quantities and make more trips, or carry material to the nearest point a lorry can reach.
Can I follow the job from abroad?
Yes. We agree the plan in English by e-mail or WhatsApp and send photos at each stage, from the empty pool to the finished surface.
Can an old pool be turned into garden?
Yes. Once the shell is broken out or filled in and compacted, topsoil goes on top and the area can be planted or laid to lawn.
Can you remove a pool that is still full of water?
No. The pool has to be empty before demolition begins; we agree with you beforehand who drains it and when.
Can you demolish a pool in a protected area?
In protected buildings, protected settings or archaeological zones the demolition needs a licencia urbanística rather than a declaración responsable. Your técnico handles the application.
Can you handle a uralita roof on a pool house?
If the roof may contain asbestos, its removal is carried out by a RERA-registered company working as our subcontractor, and we coordinate the rest of the demolition.