SPANISH 'LAND GRABBING' LEAVES BRITS ABROAD OUT OF POCKET (Fiona Hall MEP)

Fiona Hall MEP <info@fionahall.org.uk>

SPANISH 'LAND GRABBING' LEAVES BRITS ABROAD OUT OF POCKET

April 6, 2009 12:00 AM

Fiona Lib Dem Euro-MP for the North East, Fiona Hall, has called for action at a European level to protect British people buying homes in Spain.

Fiona has been contacted by a number of constituents who have bought homes in Valenica, Spain - many spending their life savings on the purchase of their dream house or land - only to find local authorities using unjust Spanish laws to grab land back after the contracts have been signed.

The laws were designed by the Valencian authorities to help deliver low cost housing for local residents by preventing holiday home developers and speculators banking land, but at worst, properties bought by foreign holidaymakers have been demolished or left worthless by property developers exploiting the rules.

And unlike the English compulsory purchase scheme, where compensation can be received, in Spain the property owners also have to pay the developers considerable funds for the privilege of having as much as 30% of land taken away in some cases.

"Understandably, this has driven people to breaking point," said Fiona. "Many British people have worked hard for decades to achieve their dream of retirement in the sun, only to be forced to give up part of their property without compensation, and in some cases also footing massive bills from property developers.

"Quite rightly the European Commission has decided that the Spanish Government's actions breach EU rules. I am delighted that the European Parliament, in its report voted last week, recommends the freezing of all community funds for Spain until such abuses are resolved."

Fiona has called on the European Commission to act swiftly and decisively in accordance with the recommendations of the Parliament's report.