Junta decree gives fresh hopes for legalization

The Junta de Andalucía has thrown out a potential lifeline to thousands of owners of illegal properties who had virtually given up on the Spanish justice system. The Junta’s Public Works and Housing Department announced a forthcoming decree that would enable owners of thousands of illegal properties across the region to request regularisation of their property through their town hall, and to be issued with a licence of first occupation.

British Ambassador to Spain, Giles Paxman said: “This is a real step forward for owners of illegally built properties in Andalucia. The decree should enable thousands of people whose properties have been declared illegal to comply with the law and gain access to essential services.

“Of course, there will be some properties built on specially protected land or in dangerous locations which it will not be possible to legalise. But the announcement will bring relief and hope to many people whose lives have been blighted by property and planning irregularities.”

Meanwhile, 300 British residents attended a meeting in Arboleas where Mayor Angel Garcia informed them that 95% of the irregular homes in the municipality should eventually be legalised under the Town Plan, AUAN said in a statement.

In AUANs view the process could take several years to complete and the titleholder of the land is at risk of having to fund the necessary works to complete infrastructure.

AUAN thanked Sr. Garcia for for being brave enough to face a barrage of questions in a meeting which took some three hours.

“You are victims of a Spanish planning mess” said AUANs Legal Advisor Gerardo Vazquez.