Turre trio charged with selling warehouse as a real home

A couple from Turre, plus a female friend, are all looking at three years in jail after they were arrested for trying to sell a storeroom as a real house to the aunt of the female friend. They managed to flog the home for 177.000 euros, but when the aunt turned up she realised it was a hut in a field and the photos she’d seen were false. The hut was valued at around 20.000 Continue reading Turre trio charged with selling warehouse as a real home

Two British homes demolished today in Cantoria

At one o’clock today, 18th November 2014, representatives of the regional government demolished the home of Frank and Janet Dole, in Las Terreras, a tiny hamlet in Cantoria in the Valley of Almanzora. Frank and Janet had purchased the property, one of four on a small development, in early 2005 from their promoter, Francisco Pedrosa Moreno, only to discover in late 2006 that the property was in fact illegal and that the promoter had been Continue reading Two British homes demolished today in Cantoria

650 homes across Cuevas declared illegal by courts

Some 650 homes across Cuevas del Almanzora have been deemed illegal after a judge rolled up dozens of separate court cases into one massive case and confirmed the annulment of the towns 2003 zoning plan (PGOU). The PGOU, ruled the Judge, went against the planning laws at the time and should never have been permitted. This means that hundreds of home owners of all nationalities have suddenly discovered that their building license have been revoked, Continue reading 650 homes across Cuevas declared illegal by courts

AUAN “impatient” for planning law to be changed ASAP

AUAN press release 07/10/14: Responding to today’s announcement of the initiation of a parliamentary bill to amend the Planning Laws of Andalusia (LOUA) to deal with illegal land divisions, thus allowing more houses to be regularized ……. SOHA and AUAN are pleased with the agreement reached between PSOE and IU in relation to this initiative.   But at the same time we are impatient for this change to be made law as soon as possible. Continue reading AUAN “impatient” for planning law to be changed ASAP

Sean Connery denies Marbella urban abuse case (The Goldfinger case)

I did not have relations with that man screams the Spanish press. Further investigation reveals they mean business relations, and they’re talking about Jesús Gil, the Man who Made Marbella. Sean Connery owned a luxury villa in Marbella which was a tad large (and a bit got knocked down by court order). His chalet was owned by a company called Malibú, SA, which together seems to be linked with another company called By the Sea, Continue reading Sean Connery denies Marbella urban abuse case (The Goldfinger case)

Jail for ex-mayor of Zurgena in urban corruption case

The ex-mayor of Zurgena for urban planning have been sentenced to 21 months in jail each after a Judge found them guilty of allowing homes to be built in rustic areas. Candido Trabalon, the ex-mayor, who is still currently the councillor for pubic works in Arboleas townhall, in coalition with the ruling party after he lost the last elections, continues to face trial on several other counts of urban corruption. The current judgement only relates Continue reading Jail for ex-mayor of Zurgena in urban corruption case

Priors construction permit annulled by the high court, compensation now expected

The High Court of Justice in Andalucía (TSJA) has decided that the construction permit issued by Vera Townhall to the Priors (the ones who had their house knocked down) back in 2003 was issued incorrectly and hence is annulled. The court case was bought by Vera townhall in an attempt to justify their issuing of the license. Since they have lost, Vera townhall is now expected to be obliged to pay some 750,000€ compensation for Continue reading Priors construction permit annulled by the high court, compensation now expected

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

Estepona wants to legalise 2000 homes to help city budget

Estepona has been the first to come out and say it: Fine them, pocket the cash, legalise the homes and charge ’em IBI. We need the cash. The townhall has opened a new office, and assigned a team to legalise as many of the homes as possible before the end of the year. The reason, according to the mayor, is that “the more homes we legalise, the more income for the town, and the faster, Continue reading Estepona wants to legalise 2000 homes to help city budget

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.