Maura Hillen awarded MBE for services to illegal home owners in Spain

From the British Embassy in Spain today comes the following exciting news. Maura Hillen, homeowners’ champion, receives honorary MBE   The leader of an association representing owners of illegal homes in Andalucia has been appointed an honorary Member of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire (MBE), for services to the British community in Spain. The award to Mrs Maura Hillen, an Irish national, reflects her work as President and spokesperson of Abusos Urbanisticos Continue reading Maura Hillen awarded MBE for services to illegal home owners in Spain

British home owners associations give a lifeline to the residents of Marbella, Spain

A lifeline for the residents of Marbella? – After Supreme Court annuls the Marbella town plan which aimed to legalise 16,500 properties constructed illegally during the years 1991-2006.   According to the association that campaigns against urban abuses in Andalucía, AUAN, a lifeline now exists for third parties in good faith who purchased houses in Marbella with planning permission that now appear to be in doubt as a result of the recent annulment of the Continue reading British home owners associations give a lifeline to the residents of Marbella, Spain

Mojacar Mayor fined for refusing to demolish friends illegal house

The Mayor of Mojácar, Rosa Maria Caño (PP), has been fined for refusing to carry out her duties and order the partial demolition of the illegal extension of a house owned by a friend of hers, a prominent PSOE politician from Garrucha called Nicolas Piñero. The house in question is across the rambla before you get to the Parque Comercial, coming down the hill, and is marked by a large billboard reading “Obras Illegal”. The Continue reading Mojacar Mayor fined for refusing to demolish friends illegal house

Albox townhall has “civil responsibility” in case of 98 Brit owned demolitions

Albox townhall has been told it has civil responsibility in the case of 98 mainly British owned houses that face demolition in the town, and has been ordered to consign 3,1 million euros to the courts to cover any possible compensation costs. Three building companies are also named in the judicial order: ‘Proyecto y Construcciones Almanzora SL’, Procoal Villas SL, & Empire Villas SL. The three companies share civil responsibility with the townhall, but as Continue reading Albox townhall has “civil responsibility” in case of 98 Brit owned demolitions

Latest Changes to the Andalucian Planning Laws are another nail in the coffin

From the AUAN: If you buy an illegal house in good faith, it’s your fault and you will be punished according to the latest amendments to the LOUA. AUAN, 21st November 2011 The regional government of Andalucía has announced that itis changing its planning laws (LOUA) in an attempt to revitalise the struggling real estate sector by easing the requirements for building in urban areas. However, according to sources in Abusos UrbanisticosAlmanzora NO (AUAN), an Continue reading Latest Changes to the Andalucian Planning Laws are another nail in the coffin

Come to the Costa del Sol! Tourism authorities create a “new brand” to sell 30,000 homes to Brits

“Living Costa del Sol” That’s the new trademarked slogan being pushed by the Costa del Sol tourism board, in an attempt to flog 30,000 homes to Brits next year. It joins “Welcome to Andalucia, welcome home“, the new slogan of Andalucia for the British market, believe it or not.

La Voz rallies against AUAN and scaremongoring expats

In Monday’s La Voz, which I have just got around to persuing over a freshly baked croissant and a coffee, page 3 is given over, not to lovely Sally (21) from Essex, but to a somber reflection on “Brits take to the internet their fear of demolitions of illegal homes”. In an politically charged piece, the paper appears to say that AUAN, the urban abuse pressure group, has issued a false press release relative to Continue reading La Voz rallies against AUAN and scaremongoring expats

Auken to give free conference on property abuse

Margret Auken, the nice MEP who slammed property abuse in Spain, turning her into a god-like figure for AUAN, AUN and similar organisations (many  with almost the same name) is attending a property conference in Alicante at the end of the month. Free conference on property abuse in Alicante The conference will cover the basics of “land grab” laws, which the EU has ruled illegal, and will also discuss issues such as property rights, planning abuse Continue reading Auken to give free conference on property abuse

Spanish MP to meet citizens with illegal properties

José Antonio Castro, a member of the Parliament of Andalucía and of its Planning and Environment Committee, will meet and listen to representatives of citizens’ groups in Almería affected by planning and real estate abuses. He wishes in future to put questions or a resolution before Parliament. Date and time: Thursday, 9th July 2009, from 12:00 to 14:00 hours. Place: Salon de Usos Multiples, Turre, Almería.