Spanish homes face demolition

Permalink: Spanish homes face demolition
by Kay Murchie

Hundreds of miles of illegally built houses face demolition in Spain with many of them belonging to British owners. The illegally built developments are on 480 miles of Mediterranean coast from Barcelona in the north to Marbella in the south, including the Balearic and Canary islands.

It is anticipated that over one million Britons live in Spain for part of or all of the year, having purchased tens of thousands of holiday homes along the shoreline.

Spanish law says beaches are public property and construction is banned within 100 metres of the coastline, however, this has clearly been ignored by builders and local authorities.

Government officials are to negotiate with home owners and regional authorities over the sale of illegal properties rather than expropriate them.

There is uncertainty over whether homes are safe as the government has refused to give details. One government official said mass demolition will not take place, it will be done on a case-by-case basis.

Officials still need permission of Spain’s powerful regional governments and town halls, however, there are concerns that the plans will hurt British investment in the area.

A spokesperson for Viva Estates, said it’s impractical to see nearly 500 miles of Spanish coastline being attacked by demolition crews.