This week The Times’s foreign pages carried news that thousands of British homeowners in Spain had been dreading: the Spanish Government was putting in place plans to demolish illegal developments along nearly 500 miles of coastline. The story elicited huge interest online and attracted lots of comment:

“If it wasn’t for the property investment, Spain would still be a poor, underinvested country. The Spanish Government is showing casual disregard for the interests of British homeowners who have pumped billions in to the Spanish economy.” William, London “The Spanish authorities are currently riding roughshod over properties owned by anyone living within 100 metres of a shoreline or salt lake or stretch of water. My family has an escritura (title deeds) for a property in the Balearic island of Formentera that has been in our family for 40 years. This has been affected by the 1998 Coastal Law, and we and many local residents are fighting the injustice of the authorities in seizing a property that is legally ours. Please support our website: www.salvarformentera.org.” Timothy, Kingston upon Thames

“A petition has been set up to bring pressure to bear on the British Government to come to the aid of many thousands of EU citizens who are caught up in the property scandal in Spain. A complaints document is also being compiled, as many lawyers in Spain have not been giving the correct legal advice to consumers, particularly on bank guarantees. Please visit spanishpropertyscandalpetition.co.uk.” Suzanne, Kingston

lucia.adams@timesonline.co.uk Pensioners’ pain in Spain, page 13 See the original article in full at: timesonline.co.uk/overseasproperty

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Too close for comfort

Is the wrecking ball about to smash into swathes of properties built too near the beach?

BACKGROUND

• Pensioners’ pain in Spain

• Stormy outlook for British homeowners in Spain

• Spanish property doctor

• Homes under threat as Spain moves to clear coast

• Tenerife attracts the champagne set; but has bargain property prices

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Related Links

• Homes under threat as Spain moves to clear coast

For overseas buying guides and a round-up of thousands of foreign properties for sale, go to: timesonline.co.uk/overseasproperty

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