Marbella PGOU Town Hall Legalises 17,000 Properties
It would be fair to say that over the years Marbella has not gained itself a reputation as being the most honest or legal of places – especially when it comes to buying property. Though many, many legal real estate deals take place every year and countless people purchase beautiful properties and are extremely happy with their new homes and lives in the sun, there are those that have slipped through the net. And though Marbella is now making every effort to clean up its act, the days of heady corruption have still left their mark on the Coast.
Most commonly, here are buildings, some occupied, some sold to owners unaware of their legal status, but built illegally back in the days where money across the table was the only building permission you needed to get your project off the ground. But it is a new day here on the Coast, the Marbella Town hall and the Junta de Andalucia (Andalucian Government) are doing everything they can to bring the legality back in line with the pride that is true of the real Spain.
The long awaited Marbella PGOU plan (urban plan) was finally approved by the Junta last week; with this new lease of life, Marbella is taking a marked step back to the respectable. The approval of the PGOU now means that 17,000 homes are now legalised and thousands of property owners can now sleep a little better. Additionally not only does this plan address the illegal homes that have been built but it also creates a specific guideline for project development – this extra step is rare and reflects how serious they are in bringing Marbella back to a level of respectability. Dealing with the problems that have occurred but also putting in procedures for the future.
Of course, as with anything, these plans have attracted controversy from some corners. Some local critics believe it may give developers a free pass to building transparently illegal projects. Those concerned with the environment are concerned that some projects have been built on protected land especially those on the beachfront. And there are some buildings that will not be legalized and some may be destroyed, which is the only other option, this is all still under discussion.
However amongst the controversy, putting aside the concerns of those who aren’t completely happy, there is no denying the fact that the Junta de Andalucia, the Marbella Town Hall and all those in power, are making a marked step towards cleaning up the mess made by others and that, for residents and visitors alike, surely, should be applauded.
