Some 98 homes have been apparently singled out after an investigation in Almeria’s Almanzora valley launched in 2005 comes to a close.
The properties, almost all owned by Brits, were built without licences.
“It is feared that all these 98 homes will be demolished when formal charges are made,” said a spokesman for local pressure group AUAN (Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No).
She added: “The British community is distressed because of the uncertainty over legal proceedings.
“It is scandalous that things continue without a solution despite the promises offered.”
Nearby in Albox meanwhile, a further six houses have been added to the list of eight that have already been scheduled for demolition.
The British owners – who insist they bought in good faith and have been conned by developers – have joined the others, who got orders just before Christmas.
As the Olive Press reported at the time (issue 77), one of the owners Terry Haycock suffered a mini stroke and was temporarily blinded from the stress of it.
The news came as British MEP Marta Andreasen chose to compare Prime Minister Zapatero to President Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe.
She said that her constituents wonder “who is running Spain” and feel akin to British subjects living in Zimbabwe.
Though Zapatero rejected the comparison, he has done nothing to help the homeowners so far.
It is likely that more cases will be exposed soon, with an estimated 300,000 illegal homes located in Andalucia alone.
Post a Comment