Scots MEP condemns Spanish urban development practices
March 26, 2009 12:00 AM
The European Parliament today voted to impose sanctions against Spain unless it stops the "extensive urbanisation" practices that have seen thousands of people lose their holiday homes.
In some cases whole developments have even been demolished by Spanish authorities after being deemed illegally built. Those affected, including many from Scotland and the UK, have been left without compensation.
The European Parliament report calls on the EU to "suspend and review" urban development in Spain which do not recognise legitimate ownership, and on the Spanish authorities to properly compensate those who have lost out.
Commenting, Scottish Liberal Democrat MEP Elspeth Attwooll said:
"Many constituents have contacted me over problems they have been experiencing with property in Spain, and it's a story that's all too common across the European Union.
People have poured their life savings into holiday homes only to be faced with legal challenges over the land and then often left with nothing. The right to private property is a fundamental right, and this has been quite clearly breached.
The unscrupulous practices behind this must be addressed and people properly compensated for any losses. It is absolutely scandalous that things have been allowed to get so out of control."
END
Notes:
The practices have also resulted in environmental damage to Spanish coastline and flouted EU procurement rules.
The Auken Report "on the impact of extensive urbanisation in Spain…" is available at http://www.europarl.europa.eu/sides/getDoc.do?pubRef=-//EP//NONSGML+REPORT+A6-2009-0082+0+DOC+PDF+V0//EN
It was backed by MEPs with 349 votes for, 110 against and 114 abstentions.
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