British couple watch on as their illegal house is demolished in Almería

Spain News : Andalucía : Costa de Almería
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British couple watch on as their illegal house is demolished in Almería
By h.b. - Jan 11, 2008 - 8:25 AM
ALSO SEE : • Andalucian high court postpones Marbella demolitions - Mar 18, 2008 - 8:30 AM
• Lanzarote dubbed the new Marbella as 22 illegal hotel complexes face demolition - Mar 17, 2008 - 2:32 PM

63 year old Briton, Len Prior, who has a heart condition, collapsed at the scene as the demolition took place on Wednesday
British pensioner, 63 year old Len Prior, collapsed onto the ground as demolition men moved in to knock down his home in the La Loma area of Vera, Almeria on Wednesday. He is known to have a heart condition. He and his wife purchased the retirement property in Vera unaware that they were entering into a network of corrupt builders and lawyers who allegedly paid backhanders to local officials.

The Priors were told that their home had planning permission, and Mayor of Vera, Félix López, agrees they were given permission in 2002, but the Junta de Andalucía insists the building was erected illegally on rustic land, and the Judge agreed with the regional government and ordered demolition. The local Mayor told the local Ideal newspaper that he is very angry at what has happened, saying it has made Vera the illegal development scapegoat in Almería province.

The Councillor for Public Works of the Junta, Luis Caparrós, said that the Andalucian Government had respected the order of the judge which was firm, and that by doing so legality had been restored. A total of 17 homes in La Loma de Vera face demolition.

British newspaper The Daily Mail claims the couple was given just two hours to get out of their home. Wife Helen Prior, also aged 63, said that thankfully the neighbours helped them to get all their possessions out in time.
It’s thought to be the first case of a British owned home in Spain to be demolished in such a way.

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ALSO SEE :
• Andalucian high court postpones Marbella demolitions - Mar 18, 2008 - 8:30 AM
• Lanzarote dubbed the new Marbella as 22 illegal hotel complexes face demolition - Mar 17, 2008 - 2:32 PM
• Locals fight against coastal development in Villaricos, Almería province - Feb 24, 2008 - 10:14 PM
• Mijas Mayor accuses local PP of using the irregular housing problem for political ends - Feb 18, 2008 - 8:31 PM
• All that illegal property - What should be done? - Feb 5, 2008 - 7:37 PM
• Another British couple in Almería fear their home is to be demolished - Feb 5, 2008 - 12:45 PM
• Demolition starts of Estepona illegal hotel - Feb 4, 2008 - 7:27 PM
• Town Hall promises to help owners faced by demolition in Mijas - Jan 29, 2008 - 6:27 PM
• Expats protest retirement home demolition in Vera - Jan 28, 2008 - 6:33 PM
• Expats call protest in Vera against recent house demolition - Jan 23, 2008 - 6:18 PM

Comments

Pops
11 Jan 2008, 11:49

Would you buy a home in Spain? Anyone who even thinks about it needs their head examining. We have a Prime Minister (idiot) who is merrily looking the other way while his ship of state sinks into recession right under his feet, and a so-called justice system that allows local politicians (thieves and liars) to change or manipulate the rules to suit themselves. I hope this tale of corruption, greed, and blatant disregard of Len Prior’s human rights finds its way to the front page of every newspaper in Europe.

Kathy Leigh
11 Jan 2008, 12:08

This is such a sad state of affairs, how do innocent people get protection from this type of thing.
Even with all the checks in place you can still get caught out.
How can you check 100% if the area that the constructions have been built on are actually on agreed urbanisation land and have all the full documentation to support it?

miguel
11 Jan 2008, 12:59

My advice to anyone contemplating buying a property in Spain is ----
" Don't Bother" The common people will now suffer the terrible economic disaster that will now befall Espana because of the failures of the Spanish government to stamp out corruption.In the many developed countries like Britain, Germany and Norway,Canada etc news of these appaling events are being shown on TV and there are no more buyers coming out.Result--- Spanish people with no JOBS,no Income,no prospects and high unemployment. Lets hope the ordinary spanish people dont blame the extranjeros and attack them but understand that this is a direct result of our own government's failure.. ( see pops above)

bill fairbrother
11 Jan 2008, 14:44

i am obviously intersted in this terrible situation with len prior whose house was demolished recently, as we along with hundreds of other people in this particular area of almeria are in a similar position of living under the threat of losing our homes, that, after you paid your money are deemed to be ilegal. the authorities deserve all the bad publicity that i feel sure will be coming their way. bill fairbrother

jakii bruja
12 Jan 2008, 11:28

this is a blatent abuse of human rights,if this kind of situation keeps happening i feel it should be taken as an attack on the individuals rights & i would expect the eu countries concerned to issue a decree that this will be taken as an afront to that countries democratic power & citizens,maybe a bounty should be offered to arrest the corrupt parties under international law,if some punk offical in spain can dictate what laws apply to eu citizens what is the point of a heavily armed military democracies if they can't even protect their own civilians
same old right wing style politics as what led up to the falkland islands mess..

Irene
14 Jan 2008, 00:27

This is a dreadful way to treat people. The authorities should hang their heads in shame. Victims of corruption should be supported and helped, after all it is corrupt public employees who have put them in this situation. Full compensation for the value of the proerties should be paid by the authorities together will compensation for the distress. This heavy handedness does not help Spain's reputation in the international community, but it will deter investors and ultimately affect the economy. The public prosecutor is a madman and unfit for office.

Patricia
14 Jan 2008, 17:17

Why hasn't Gordon Brown protested to Zapatero or the British Ambassador on the authority of Brown done the same to his counterpart in Madrid over this? I know he's got his tongue stuck up Zapateros arse somewhere but surely he could pull it out for something as important as this?

Andy
21 Jan 2008, 16:57

Oh yeah, it's far better in England isn't it! I bet you love getting ripped off for EVERYTHING and having one of the highest costs of living in Europe! Plus, rubbish tax rates, high inflation, high leveles of crime, corrupt bankers/councils, usless MPs losing things and lying, huge unemployment.... oh yeah, miles better in England! Have any of you ever actually been to Spain?

Maybe try renting long-term! I have done that for 5 years. It's cheap, safe and secure! I have always got a landlord to fix things when they break, I don't pay any community fees or local taxes but I still live in a beautiful apartment with a sea view to the front and mountains to the rear! It's lovely!

I would NEVER consider living in the UK again. It's a dump with high crime levels (not here), expensive everything (not here) rubbish weather (not here) hoody-scum (not here)... need I go on?

Spain is great. It's so much better than England!!

Irene
23 Jan 2008, 22:44

Message to Andy - yes I have been to Spain and own a property there, which is meant for our retirement. It has caused us nothing but heartache from the outset,(7 years ago,it took 3 to build) despite doing everything by the book. Our life's work has been invested in it and a greedy builder tried to take all our money and keep the house, we later find out the independant solicitor who had been recommended by Parador properties was a relative of the builder, and Parador were as much use as a chocolate teapot. Spain is not so cheap, and we have found the Spanish unhelpful, surly and arrogant, and thats without the corruption. I do not feel I can trust any of them and have many regrets. Buying a property in the UK is a breeze compared to Spain.

Jill McDonald
25 Feb 2008, 09:42

Whether or not Spain is better than the UK or vice versa is not the point. What is the point is the corruption and blatant greed which has created a situation whereby people are used as human footballs to score political points. Everyone should stand firm in supporting that and not start childishly arguing about lifestyles. The bad publicity and negative perspectives are putting Spain back years!! How politiclly naive ultimately. This area of Spain was in poverty not that long ago and the political mess will re-create unemployment! How expensive will that be for everyone? How ironic when you surf these pages that so many adverts for property appear. We have bought a duplex in good faith with appropriate licences (we thought). We have been horrified to hear (through the press!!) that it is at risk and had planned to retire to Spain. We would have spent the money we have earned all our lives and invest it in Spain. There is no way we would do that now and I suspect thousands like us. Spain has blown it - the dream for thousands and continued prosperity for them!

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