*Illegal homes group loses case against minister

Spanish illegal homes pressure group AUAN (Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora NO) has lost its case against a minister in the Andalucian government who it alleged had made xenophobic comments about the plight of “homeowners” in the region.

The Superior Court of Justice rejected an appeal from AUAN upholding a previous judgement that Josefina Cruz, the Andalucian government's public works and planning minister, had not acted illegally when commenting on the housing situation affecting thousands of British expats in Almeria.

In a parliamentary debate in March this year Cruz called the illegal homes situation:

“An intrusion of people... who are not of this country, who have settled here illegally and have shown a lack of respect for the culture of the territory, for the culture of the landscape and the culture of planning... and are now demanding that we solve a problem that they are responsible for having created."

She later clarified her position in an interview with British newspaper Costa Almeria News:

"My comments mean exactly what they say: foreigners who have built illegal houses in Andalucia have shown no respect for us.

"I find it incredible that one seeks to defend people who have committed illegal acts."

12,697 “irregular” constructions

A recent study carried about by the Spanish government identified 12,697 "irregular" constructions in the Almanzora Valley, the majority belonging to British expats who had bought their homes in good faith.

920 of these homes were found on specially protected land, were less than four years old or were incomplete and have been earmarked for demolition.

The remaining 11,777 homes will be subject to a special decree, currently being worked on by government officials, to define a uniform set of procedures that would allow them to be granted an occupation license and obtain access to services in a manner described as "self-sufficient", making it clear that the occupants would incur all costs.

“Politically reprehensible”

Maura Hillen, president of AUAN says she will accept the verdict but believes Cruz’s actions are politically irresponsible:

"We have to abide by the decision of the Supreme Court, and though the words are not regarded as criminally reprehensible, we consider them to be at least politically reprehensible, and have no doubt that this will be taken into account in the polls."

“Joke”

Mark Goodwin of Spanish estate agency, First Property Choice goes further.

“What a joke”, he says.

“She makes out British expats to be latter day vikings, raping the landscape and ignoring the "clear and easy to understand planning consent" laws.

Her comments are ill conceived, deeply offensive and will undo any of the progress recently made in terms of PR for overseas investors thinking about putting cash into Spain”.

Bad timing

The comments of Cruz and the negative publicity they have generated are badly timed for the Spanish authorities. On the 4th May the government launched a series of European road shows promoting the benefits of Spanish property.

The road shows have been criticized by campaign for not addressing current grievances such as the failure of some banks to make good on their “bank guarantees” on failed developments.

Source: Global edge

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