Protected landscape status for Serra do Cume and Biscoitos limits new housing construction in Terceira

A volcanic landscape protected by law

Serra do Cume and the walled currais vineyards of Biscoitos are subject to landscape protection.

Less land available for new housing

The protections shrink the pool of developable land in Praia da Vitória.

Winegrowers defend the currais

The stone walls are a mark of agricultural identity and a source of income.

The property sector calls for alternatives

Proposals include identifying other land reserves or encouraging renovation instead.

An agricultural landscape with international recognition

The currais of Biscoitos, small enclosures of volcanic stone that shelter the vines from sea winds, form part of a wine-growing landscape that has been recognised by international agricultural heritage bodies. Serra do Cume, meanwhile, is one of Terceira's most-visited viewpoints, reinforcing the regional authorities' interest in keeping its landscape profile intact. Any construction work in these areas must undergo specific assessments that can extend the approval process by months.

Wine producers have their say

Producers under the Biscoitos Denomination of Origin argue that without landscape protection, the currais would have disappeared long ago under development pressure, taking a centuries-old winemaking tradition with them. Some nevertheless acknowledge that the restrictions also make it harder to modernise their holdings and to build small facilities to support farming activity. The Praia da Vitória town council has proposed relaxing certain requirements for construction directly linked to wine-growing.

Renovation as an alternative to new land

With developable land in short supply, local developers are increasingly opting to renovate existing homes in the settlements of Biscoitos and Porto Judeu rather than wait for new plots to become available. This strategy keeps the construction sector active without encroaching on protected areas, though it raises the final price of renovated homes compared with what a new-build development would cost on unrestricted land.

Comparison with other protected areas in the Azores

Terceira's situation mirrors what has happened elsewhere in the archipelago, where areas such as the Sete Cidades caldera on São Miguel have imposed similar building restrictions. Planning experts note that while such restrictions curb the supply of new housing, they have also prevented uncontrolled development that would today be generating far greater environmental strain on the island.