ARCHIVED - Anger over unjust demolition order served on British pensioners in Almería

Andalucía bureaucrats show their worst side to the world in targeting Brits in the Almanzora valley

The latest case of an unjust demolition order being issued regarding a property bought in good faith by British buyers in the province of Almería and then declared illegal has aroused considerable indignation and anger on social network sites, in the press and, understandably, a mong the members of AUAN, the association which represents representing those affected by demolition orders in Andalucía.

The regional government of Andalucía is insisting on the demolition of the home of Noel and Christine Payne in Albox, despite them being in possession of planning permission, a licence of first occupation, a valid inscription in the Land Registry, deeds, and stamps as proof of payment of taxes to the Junta de Andalusia and the payment of Notary and Registry fees.

As Maura Hillen, the president of AUAN, remarks, “foreign investors, as well as society as a whole, does not understand the determination of the Junta to demolish this couple’s house. In fact, the Town Hall of Albox provided a report to the courts where it stated that it would be possible to regularise the house via the figure known as an AFO”.

“In spite of this”, Mrs Hillen goes on, “and without any respect for local autonomy in planning matters, the Junta asked for a report from itself, a report which says that the house must be demolished, something which is difficult for people to understand. But if this was not enough, the Junta argues that Mr and Mrs Payne should not be compensated because it does not consider them to be third parties in good faith”.

In the meantime, Mr and Mrs Payne, both in their seventies, are suffering considerable stress and distress. They wake up thinking about the labyrinth in which they have become trapped, wondering how it is possible that by doing everything within their power to ensure that their home in the sun was built legally there are an estimated 300,000 illegal houses in Andalucía which are not under threat.

Unfortunately, it seems that in the valley of Almanzora, again according to Mrs Hillen, it is only houses belonging to UK nationals which are targeted for demolition, and the AUAN president comments that “it appears that (the regional government) wants to repeat the experience of the Priors, which caused great damage to society and the economy of this zone, and who have just received compensation ten years after their home was demolished in 2008.”

Len and Helen Prior, it might be remembered, were the owners of a house which was demolished in nearby Vera in 2008 in a very similar case. After a decade of legal battles they have now at last received compensation due to subsequent legislative changes, but the case of the Paynes appears to show that despite all of the progress which has been made, the law and the way in which it is applied are still some way short of distributing ensuring that any kind of justice done.

AUAN is requesting the support of all social and economic agents in the area, as well as all political parties, and has announced that a meeting with these representatives of Almeria society will be held shortly to speak about the “unfair and outrageous” issue.

Image: Noel and Christine Payne with Maura Hillen and Gerardo Vázquez, AUAN’s lawyer

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