Town hall made to pay up 30 years after taking land

THE Andalucian Supreme Court of Justice has sentenced Velez-Malaga Town Hall to evaluate the expropriation of a plot 30 years after it was taken over. The 464m2 plot in Torre del Mar was taken over by the town hall to carry out the seafront promenade 30 years ago. However, no compulsory purchase was carried out, and the owners have been demanding compensation ever since.

This has been refused twice, in 1997 and 2000, but now the town hall has been sentenced to start procedures to evaluate the property and give the owners what it is worth.

This decision cannot be appealed, although the town hall maintains that the land was never occupied and that the ownership of it cannot be proved. However, the owners have the deeds for the property and proof of having paid property tax.

It could still be resolved at a civil trial, as the owners are demanding €450,000, plus interests and compensation which could add up to €600,000.