A STAGGERING 11,000 homes in the Axarquia region are to be legalised in one fell swoop.

The plan, which has been announced by the Junta, will give the thumbs up for
the vast majority of illegally-built homes around the Axarquia.

While described by environmentalists as ‘giving a free reign to build on
rustic land’, it comes as a major boost for homeowners, hundreds of them
expats.

Announced at a meeting of the region’s mayors, the Junta’s head of public
works, Josefina Cruz, revealed that only 1,500 of the 12,760 homes
investigated are now facing demolition.

+ Read the full article at The Olive Press

British Embassy Reaction

BRITISH EMBASSY WELCOMES ANNOUNCEMENT OF DECREE TO REGULARISE THOUSANDS OF ILLEGAL PROPERTIES
8 March 2011

The British Embassy has welcomed the the announcement by the Junta de Andalucia of a forthcoming decree that would enable owners of thousands of illegal properties across Andalucia to request regularisation of their property through their town hall, and to be issued with a licence of first occupation.

The 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. We will continue to work with the Andalucian authorities on this issue.”

Property owners and buyers can find information about precautions to take when buying a property in Spain, and on dealing with property issues, in the property section of the UKinSpain website, ukinspain.fco.gov.uk