Turre townhall has cancelled Martín Morales’s proposed “land grab” in Cabrera.
Sitting in closed session last Tuesday (Sept 12), the ruling body (made up of 3 PSOE councillors and 1 IU, Martín) decided that the plan to change the way the mountain urbanisation is run is “not economically viable” and cancelled the project.
All PSOE councillors voted in favour of the motion, and Martín voted against. Their decision may have been swayed by the vast number of allegations against the motion submitted by local owners, mainly expats, but more likely it was because the County Council (Diputación) said it was a daft idea that would drive Turre into bankruptcy. Or words to that effect, I’ve got the drily worded report around here somewhere.
It’s worth noting that all PSOE councillors voted against the plan when Martín first mooted it, back when he was mayor, but that he forced it through regardless, ignoring all of the ruling councillors and the advice of the town clerk.
The urbanisation will continue to be run in the way it currently is, ie, not very well. And people who haven’t paid their IBI in recent years are likely to be taken to court if they don’t pay, as Martín revealed a few weeks ago in the Costa Almería News.
There is still no news on the public prosecutor’s investigation into homes being built without permits in the mountains which Martín launched when he was Mayor. That will be a nasty surprise in the year to come, no doubt.
Martín is said to be “furious” at the decision. I notice that next month the provincial IU coordinator is stepping down from her post – Martín could well be in with a shot at her position. In which case, he may very well decide to walk away from the council, sinking Mayor María’s administration and possibly handing the keys to opposition leader Arturo Grima (PP).
David in response to your above post. You quote that the councils decsion may have been swayed by the vast number of allagations against the motion submitted by local owners. This statement is not accurate. There were only 12 objections submitted of which 3 were from the same person representing 3 companies. A petition of 94 names of homeowners in Cabrera was submitted to the Town Hall in support of the change of system. However, the descion made by the council has not come as a surprise.
CRA is it possible to give me the name of the person representing the 3 companies, please? This is nothing to do with the ‘land grab’! Please mail me!
David you are correct, there were over 120 objection letters by individual owners submitted to the town hall.
Well, the official paperwork only analyses the objections submitted.
As per usual, the labove three comments are totally and completely distorted and conservative with the truth .
1) Cabrera has been very efficiently administered for the past 23 years by multiple voluntary owners who have unselfishly dedicated their time upkeeping the urbanisation to its best possible conditions.
2) The problems in Cabrera has originated by 24 owners representing 1.5%, whom have refused to contribute towards their annual maintenance contribution and has been supported by Martin. They believe they are right against the whishes of the other 98.5% of 180 owners, who have for the past 23 years, unanimously approved at the Annual General Assembly the efficient administrative establish system.
3) This small group of owners, endeavour to interpret the law to suit their personal ideology and wishes, which is not supported by any legal administrative authorities.
4) The over 120 allegations submitted to the Town Hall, has been presented by the owners wishing the presents system remains as it has been for the past 23 years. (don’t take my word for it, the allegations are in the town Hall).
5)A substantial number of this small group of non-payers, have already been taken to court with judgement being granted in favour of the administrative body in Cabrera (The Junta de Compensación Cortijo Cabrera)
The wishes of the very large majority of the owners of Cabrera, is to put this needless saga behind, and concentrate in making Cabrera even better.
I have read all the submissions here, and can say without fear of contradiction that I was among the owners that lodged objection/allegations, in direct contradiction to the above statement by the CRAPeople.
Is it right that 24 disruptive and morally vaccuous miscreants hold the majority of content law abiding owners to ransom by withholding due payments? No it is not. If you disagree with a system, you try to change it from the inside, not by forcing the managing body to spend law abiding owners money to take the miscreants to court to recover monies that should have been paid in the first place.
CRAPeople, I hope you are satisfied but from published bitter comments above, then I guess not. Shame, perhaps now you should try the right way to effect change. Thst is if the CRAPeople actually have a valid case.
David, please be conscientious on the details you print. quote:-
“There is still no news on the public prosecutor’s investigation into homes being built without permits in the mountains which Martín launched when he was Mayor. That will be a nasty surprise in the year to come, no doubt.”
Please let’s not imply that it’s the owners of Cabrera who could be in for a surprise, for it could be all of the 7 previous Mayors, the administration, Diputacion, Junta de Andalucia, Lawyers, Notaries, Registers etc. etc.
ALL the properties built in Cabrera, ALL have their respective LEGAL (applied and received) building license.
In which case, they have nothing to fear from the investigation. I just said that there has been no news…
David it would be good if you could explain what you mean when you infer that Cabrera is being badly run.In my experience it is very well run for a small village .The rubbish is collected 2 or 3 times a week and the streets are immaculately kept mainly by Diego who is so hard working and is much loved and respected in Cabrera.In England many councils appoint themselves as arbiters of many aspects of people’s lives …lecturing us on healthy living and other things.Basically all that most people want from their local Junta / Council or whatever is for them to empty the bins regularly ,keep the streets neat and tidy and in Spain keep the water flowing.All of those things are done superbly in Cabrera …take note Turre.
It is clear that the members of the Junta Committee who have decided to comment publicly first, rather than with the residents of Cabrera, remain at polar opposites with the views of the CRA.
In response the CRA make the following observations
a. Whilst the CRA are disappointed with the Town Hall’s decision it is accepted.
b. There were in fact only 21 objections received by the Town Hall. Individuals names have been withheld to maintain confidentiality but all registered objections are included in the minutes of the meeting.
c. Examination of the minutes of the Cabrera AGMs will identify that the majority of people who contribute to the maintenance bill do not vote. The homeowners that do contribute to the maintenance bill represent approximately 26% of the land area of the Urbanisation. The balance of the land being held by the Developers and the Town Hall for which they have voting rights but on which no maintenance contribution is made. In the period 2013 – 2015 only a quarter of all homeowners voted at the AGM. This is hardly a resounding endorsement of the administrative system established as quoted.
d. The CRA is not pursuing an ideology. It is challenging in court the basis on which maintenance charges are levied. The Diputacion de Almeria have already indicated that the approach taken by the Junta has no legal standing.
e. As for Cabrera being run efficiently the Fiscalia obviously sees things differently given that he has referred a case to the courts for prosecution.
Due process is being followed to obtain a judicial outcome which will resolve things once and for all. Hopefully then things will be able to proceed on an amicable basis with both parties accepting the outcome of the legal process
More of the usual missinformation and very much distorted from the Cra.
@Jose Luis Jerez There seems to be some ambiguity of what is considered illegal property. You were referring to building licences I thing, but from a property owner or buyer’s perspective, a Licence of First Occupation or the replacement thereof, Habitation licence, is required. I asked someone in SC if his home had that, and he didn’t know, which struck me as odd.
@CRA if “the CRA” has anything to do with http://www.thecra.es, then why aren’t contact requests answered? In particular mine where one of the things I asked was why has all online activity come to a halt since 2010-2013 on http://www.aboutcabrera.com
I prefer to know which way the wind blows before jumping into a (property investment) decision.
Craig, aboutcabrera webpage is nothing to do with the CRA. There is a homeowners page available on Face book but only for property owners in Cabrera. The CRA are more than happy to answer any questions you may have regarding Cabrera and the dispute we currently have with the Junta and developers. Please email any questions you have to info@thecra.es we will be pleased to answer your questions.
@CRA Yes, I know that those 2 websites have nothing to do with each other besides being related to SC. I posted my questions via the contact form of thecra.es about 2 weeks ago.
Craig, we have had problems with the CRA webpage therefore, the only contact for the CRA at present is by email info@thecra.es
Hi David, I have been following your website for sometime and have also read your book on Turre.I am coming to almeria for a second visit this year in November for another look at property in Cabrera.We are looking to retire up there and will be selling up in Essex,we viewed a few houses up there in September when we stayed up there but I get the impression there seems to be problems up there between the junta and the C.R.A plus issues with first certificate of habitation,electric,water and infrastructure.After reading your chapter on Cabrera/Cortijo Grande in your book I had to think are my husband and I mad to buy up there.We absolutely love it up there but could you put our minds at rest regarding the buying of property up there and be honest with us with what issues are going on up there.I spoke to lots of people up there in sept from both associations but they all seem at odds with each other. We look forward to hearing from you. Keith&Julia Goode.
I note Julia’s question is unanswered. Myself and my wife also love Sierra Cabrera and would like to invest, but are deeply concerned that it could be a costly mistake?
Just to put to rest some unease by those seeking to buy to cabrera. 25 houses that were on builders electricity have been connected to Endesa and the outstanding handful of houses , scattered around cabrera, are being negotiated with Endesa for connection. Non of these are or were illegal, it was purely endessa delay in connection e.g upgrading transformer etc etc. at no time were houses without electricity as was quoted on social media and newspapers.
Turre town hall has issued a 35 page document to all homeowners in cabrera that they are not and will not be pursuing the :
Dicha notificación informa acerca del Decreto 318/2016 aprobado por el anterior Alcalde D. Martin Morales, y del
desistimiento por parte del actual Ayuntamiento de continuar con dicho proceso, que trataba “Sustitución del
sistema de actuación de Compensación por el que de Cooperación en cortijo Cabrera Pol 1 Sector R-3
This document is be informing everyone that the plan (Decree 318/2016 “Substitution of the Procedural System of Compensación by the one of Cooperation in Cortijo Cabrera Pol 1 Sector R-3, Rurre, Almeria, devised by the ex- Mayor, Martin Morales has been rejected and will not be continued by the Town Hall.
Hoping this alleviates your fears, if you wish to meet/ speak with me I am more than willing to be open and transparent about all issues in cabrera and before the CRA jump in, yes, I am secretary of the Junta and a very happy long standing resident/ owner in cabrera
Hello graham, thank you for replying to my email.we stayed in Cabrera in sept and viewed houses there we love the village but the more I researched it and spoke to people up there I started to think there were lots of issues concerning infrastructure etc.the c.r.a. seem to be at odds with the jaunta in Cabrera.a lot of houses are for sale for quiet a time .We came back last week hoping there would be more people about to speak to and view some more homes but it was even quieter.unfortunatly we were only in Mojacar 1 day and came down with the norovirus so hardly got to cabrera,but getting ill has made me realise how you could be quiet vulnerable there if you could not drive anymore.if we would have been buying a holiday home I would probably have bought by now.but we were looking to retire there permanently.david Jackson puts blogs out but he has not answered my questions and his book on turre is very interesting but the chapter on Cabrera/Cortijo made me think.the people are lovely up there but if you move there I feel you might have to choose what side you will be on.i have gone home to get better but hopefully we will come out next year and things might be sorted out up there.anyone reading my blogs who might be able to enlighten myself or graham baigent or craig I sept !.its a beautiful but we cannot make a make that could be a costly .ps big thanks to the cra who have got back to me quickly Julia good
The situation between Turre Town hall and Cabrera remains fluid, and is ongoing. Notification has been received that a document has been issued by the Town Hall to all owners in Cabrera to inform them that the plan [decree number 318/2016 “Substitution of the Procedural System Of Compensación by one of Co-operation in Cortijo Cabrera Polygon 1 Sector R-3 Turre, Almeria,”] devised by the ex-mayor, Martin Morales has been rejected and will not be continued by the Town Hall. 22 houses have recently been connected to Endesa and ongoing talks are taking place to connect the few remaining properties. The connection to Endesa was not a cabrera problem but issues with Endesa some of which have been resolved e.g upgrading the transformer. It is such a shame that people have been giving bad press to cabrera without the full facts and thereby putting prospective owners off buying in cabrera. I am willing to meet for a coffee if anyone wishes to discuss cabrera further. Yes, I am secretary of the junta, but, first and foremost I am a homeowner in cabrera for the last 10 years. The junta lawyer has stated, despite rumours, that there is absolutely NO case against the junta in the courts, such a shame all the rumours and bad press have not been resinded but I guess it would take courage to stand up and acknowledge this. The CRA continuously state that they are only for homeowners rights, but they remain a very incognito group with most cabrera owners not being part of this group or even knowing their members. I personally as a homeowner was denied membership to the CRA, even thought I have lived in cabrera for 10 years, it is after all supposed to be the Cabrera Residents Association and entry open to all owners. The president and secretary of the CRA have sold their houses and no longer reside in cabrera. As I said, if anyone wishes to meet for a coffee/ chat I am available, it is easy to put misinformation out there and spread rumours without being asked to give proof of what you are stating and evidence of the facts.
Thank you mo Dalton for your views.Its a beautiful magical place and I would like to say thank you to both the girls at Sierra Cabrera Living for all their help. At the moment I have to get better to review our move.please anyone looking at Cabrera on the internet do not be put off go and see Cabrera for yourselves it’s truly an enchanting place
Thanks Mo for the explanation.
JuliaGoode, I recommend renting a home in the vicinity of where you plan to buy in Spain for about a year first before actually committing to buying. That’s what I’ll probably be doing after getting some things sorted.
B.t.w. I stayed in Cabrera in May and I agree with you that it was an enchanting place (especially during sunset and sunrise). I visited several towns in the vicinity, markets, and the hospital in Huercal Overa to get an impression.
Besides the widespread issues with illegal properties in the whole region there (Partaloa, Albox, Arboleas, Cabrera, etc), my primary concern is home security from burglars. One has to feel safe in order to live with peace of mind. it’s just difficult to get a feel for how much of an issue that really is when not living there: most Spanish homes have all their windows and doors barred up and probably for good reason, but on the other hand, villas in Cabrera often don’t and the one I rented had weak wooden doors that can be budged open with little force. So it’s hard to tell how much of a concern burglaries really are. Hence my advice to you and myself to rent first.
Craig, in cabrera we have a very low rate of burglaries, maybe one a year. Most properties are secure with alarm systems, cameras, secure locking shutter doors etc. I know a few of the older properties have installed security. We also have a very active NHW in Cabrera and cameras installed in the village.
Cabrera is a beautiful village and is totally legal, despite rumours and bad press. The older homes did not require a first occupation Licence and the issue of IBI is a town hall problem of which they have brought in an outside company to try organise themselves for the collection of same. Not one owner in cabrera has refused to pay IBI and are constantly, as Len Gurney, a homeowner has said, going to the town hall trying to pay.
Hoping this clarifies some issues you may have had in relation to cabrera, as said before I am willing as a homeowner to meet and discuss any issues and bring proof for clarification over a cup of coffee.
Mo
Thanks again Mo. Discussing things over a cup (or cups) of tea would be great. I’ll contact you when I visit Cabrera again (probably in spring next year), either via the ladies at the office or your phone number listed in Costa Almeria News useful telephone numbers.
Hi. Thinking of moving to SC next year. A magical place indeed
I noticed there hasn’t been any updates since 2017. Have all the issues been resolved?
Thanks Andy
Hi Andy
My wife and I bought a place in Cabrera last December, after many years considering it, and a few other areas in the valley and near Mojacar. We also followed the political events in recent years, but all seem to be in the past now, the Major has changed, and our solicitor found no issues, so we took the plunge and love it.
We’re delighted and really love the area and people. We intend to be in Cabrera at least 6 months a year and hopefully more as time goes on.
Hi Graham
Many thanks for the really positive update. Good news indeed. My partner and I love the area and would like to retire to the SC
Kind regards