Two British pensioners living in Spain have had their home demolished after being given two hours to pack their belongings – reviving fears among thousands of other expatriates that their own houses could be at risk.

 

 

Len and Helen Prior, both 63, moved from Berkshire to Vera, a village near AlmerÍa, on the southern coast of Spain, six years ago, investing their life savings in a £350,000 home. They gained planning permission for their project from the town hall but the regional government of Andalusia insisted that the home had been built on protected greenbelt land and had to be demolished.

 

Despite threats from the regional authorities, the Priors’ solicitor had repeatedly assured them that their home would be safe. On Wednesday morning, however, a dozen police officers stood guard as a mechanical digger moved in. The couple were given two hours to clear out their belongings before their home was bulldozed.

 

Mr Prior, who suffers from a heart condition, collapsed and was taken to a nearby hospital. He was later discharged and the couple were staying with neighbours yesterday.

 

“We’re devastated,” Mr Prior said. “This has been our home for almost six years. To have it pulled down in front of you is painful beyond belief. We sold a beautiful house in Berkshire to move over here six years ago so that we could enjoy the weather and the Spanish lifestyle. Now we wish that we had just stayed put.

 

“It has turned into a nightmare. Our home is just a pile of rubble and we have nowhere to go.”

 

Mrs Prior, a retired computer programmer, said: “I stayed behind and watched the house and garden being torn down. It was quite horrendous. We have invested so much time, effort and money in it. The garden was my pride and joy and took us years to complete. I am very, very angry.”

 

The Priors have received no compensation from the regional authorities, but plan to pursue a claim through the courts. Another ten homes in the neighbourhood are reported to have been threatened with demolition.

 

Many villagers watched in horror as the three-bedroom house, which had a swimming pool, was reduced to rubble. “It was absolutely unbelievable,” said a neighbour, who asked to remain anonymous. “Everybody in the area just feels totally sick.”

 

Though many British homeowners in Spain are facing legal problems, the demolition of property belonging to expatriates has so far been rare. But the move by Andalusia’s regional government has heightened fears that they could become much more common in future.

 

“I hope that it’s not a sign of worse things to come,” said Charles Svoboda, a retired Canadian diplomat who campaigns against Valencia’s “Land Grab” law.

 

“There is no legal certainty in Spain. It is certainly not going to improve the country’s reputation for being a place to which you can retire in peace.”

 

Yesterday the inhabitants of Vera expressed particular outrage at how the Priors’ home was destroyed. “It was the way it was done. To give somebody two hours to get their belongings out – it’s inhumane. It’s not the way things are done,” a neighbour said.

 

The local mayor, Félix López Caparrós, said that the Priors had fallen victim to a planning dispute between the town hall and the regional government. “We have become the scapegoat in this battle,” he added.

 

He said that the demolition was illegal because the regional authorities had not awaited the verdict of a court appeal.

 

A spokesman for the regional government of Andalusia said that he had no information on the incident.

 

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/overseas/article3168519.ece

Sad news :(

 

 

"This is the first I heard about you wanting to demolish my house to make way for a bypass"

Some issues I have in the south of spain affecting ex pats, and locals is that the health service is being strained. Most of the ex pats that are working in the South of Spain are of a reteriment age and not working towards the Local ecomany. Also since the ex pats are buying property, its forcing the property prices up, out pricing the spanraids that are living there and causing some amonmosity.

Oh man!! I can't imagine how terrible that must be!! cruel and heartless!!! :angry:

Some issues I have in the south of spain affecting ex pats, and locals is that the health service is being strained. Most of the ex pats that are working in the South of Spain are of a reteriment age and not working towards the Local ecomany. Also since the ex pats are buying property, its forcing the property prices up, out pricing the spanraids that are living there and causing some amonmosity.

Not the first time I've heard of stuff like this happening. If they don't want them there, fine, just say so. Stop selling to them. Tell them to get out. But don't let them build and then come in and tear their shit down because that doesn't make you look like Spaniards, just cocks.

Not the first time I've heard of stuff like this happening. If they don't want them there, fine, just say so. Stop selling to them. Tell them to get out. But don't let them build and then come in and tear their shit down because that doesn't make you look like Spaniards, just cocks.

 

Its a difficult one as people can make a fair sum and give themselves a chance in life by selling their houses.

 

The British Goverment has steeped in and offerd some help, but its not enough.

 

 

I have no suggestions on how to solve this one, I just hope when I am retire I have enough money, and as since I am working here I wont feel so bad when it to using the local system, if I need to use it..

What kind of evil disgusting place is spain??

Far out!!! :stunned: :disgusted beyond belief:

why, oh why?

 

That is so sad.:( Given that they were being assured by their solicitor that their home would be safe - and it should have been! It does sound like a planning dispute as the mayor mentioned (that happens here too). But two hours notice! Ouch! That poor couple; how hard on anyone that would be!! I hope the court system there sees the injustice as the appeal was still pending, and awards the proper amount to the Priors!

Yes, I do recall that this did happen to Arthur Dent - only the road builder (Atilla-like) wanted to complete the thoroughfare for an already obsolete intergalactic highway.. Thanks David!!;)

2 hours - can you imagine! I wonder what they could haul out in two hours!! That's painful. 350,000 pounds must be on the order of 3/4 million US currency or more; and pensioners here are pretty much on fixed incomes.. That's a double whammy.

If you've got a problem with retirees using the health services, well, fix that by all means - but if someone gives the go-ahead for retirees to buy places in Spain, well, don't hurt the folks - it's not their fault!!

Personally it serves them right...

a lot of people not all British people that live in the south of Spain Make no effort to learn the lanauge...

Support local business and keep it all to them selves...

 

When this happens in the UK with comunuties from Poland / Asia / West Indies and African Countries the media has a field day. So I can not see why people get upset when the natives are getting pissed of with it over here..

 

For starters people may be able to find out way in advance that there is going to be a problem, but what do these people expect to put it in English. Well I dont think so.

I will do some local research into this story and posts its findings.. !

Personally it serves them right...

a lot of people not all British people that live in the south of Spain Make no effort to learn the lanauge...

Support local business and keep it all to them selves...

 

When this happens in the UK with comunuties from Poland / Asia / West Indies and African Countries the media has a field day. So I can not see why people get upset when the natives are getting pissed of with it over here..

 

For starters people may be able to find out way in advance that there is going to be a problem, but what do these people expect to put it in English. Well I dont think so.

 

 

 

How can you say serves them right?? :stunned:

I am going to some closer research on this story as I find it impossible to belive. Spanish Law is in Favour of the Landowner and I don´t think such a thing would ever happen here.

Yeah i myself was thinking,how is it possible for the law to just be able to demolish someone's house for no real reason.

Well, if you gain building permission from the town, as the story mentions, isn't it the responsibility of the town to understand the laws and land use restrictions of a region, and to notify the would-be purchasers of the special conditions? It just seems like someone in the know - either the realtor, or the government agency via clear building restrictions, should have kept the Priors well informed. I wonder if they weren't duped by some real estate seller, who knew the limitations ahead of time, but because the law put the burden of knowledge of any restrictions on the buyer, figured he or she could make a quick buck, and take the fast train out of town.

Our area of the US was rife with land deal swindlers of all types back in the late 1800's and early 1900's, selling very poor land to would-be farmers on land contract, and then when the purchasers could not pay (as the land was so poor), the land went back to the land dealer. It was a scam the went on for decades, so I wonder..

When a retirement age couple purchases their dream spot, invest a good chunk of their life's savings in the home, I doubt if they mean any harm - true, they should help out the local community more, and certainly learn the language and culture, but this is just wrong. They do pay property taxes, right? That must help out the local schools and roads, etc.? I would think, unless the tax structure limits this, that they would be a net plus to the economy..?

hmm I guess so.. double edge sword

Well, perhaps Spain needs to do more to correct the imbalances regarding English expatriates living there. But this looks like a pretty harsh way to get a point across, and I really wonder, given the couple's age, if much was done to help them understand, or to remedy the situation before they built. Wow, to invest 350,000 Pounds, and then loose the whole place.. this doesn't sound like some billionaire tycoon who just wanted to skirt laws and build in the protected areas..

Hmm.. given the nature of some recent land deals here in what should have been protected land, I wonder if the realtors don't push the limits of things (by knowing regs. and ignoring them), and then when some happy, unsuspecting couple buys, they're being duped by the real-estate seller... Maybe the town is in on the deal, and the officials get cut some money to keep quiet while the homes are being built? Stranger things have happened here!:thinking:

they should at least have given them some money!!

Yes, Rick - I agree - whoever is really responsible! Maybe the government, or maybe the real - estate dealers. And improve their damn system so nobody gets hurts again in a like manner!