THE AUAN

The aim of AUAN is to be an effective NON-PROFIT making NON-POLITICAL ASSOCIATION for the people of the Almanzora Valley. To protect our members interests and try to effectively influence the situation. By uniting we will have a much greater capability to fight a common cause.
Whilst a great number of Britons are affected, it is open to all who are experiencing the problems ,both UK nationals and Spanish alike.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT - Campaigning to safeguard our property

Our Objectives are clear and direct

1. To bring about, as far as it is possible, the proper legalisation of land and houses in the Almanzora Valley that are currently considered to be 'illegal'.

2. To prevent or mitigate, as far as possible, any potential 'land-grab', capital gains tax on land or infrastructure costs having to be borne by owners of properties where these should be borne by other parties i.e. property developers and where owners have not been informed of the future potential expense.

3. To inform, support, and where possible, advise it's members on matters which commonly affect them in relation to the foregoing, as far as is practicable.

HISTORY OF THE AUAN

In April 2005 a large number of people met at a venue in Albox to discuss an issue involving the levying of a high amount of land tax which property owners may have had to face.

At this meeting it was realised that many owners could not obtain essential documents such as building licences, Escritura and had other difficulties concerning their properties.

In the middle of 2006, Bob Preston (who had arranged the first meeting), Dick Cooper, Mike Phillips and Ken Botterill got together. The group saw that their focus of attention needed to be on the Plan General de Ordenation Urbana (PGOU). This plan was the basis on which it would be decided which developments and houses built on them could be 'regularised'. In other words, legalised.

It became clear they needed help and advice. Contact was made with the Valencian Abuso Urbanisticos No (A.U.N.) organization which was well established and whose focus was on the Land Grab problem.

The A.U.N. was extremely helpful. A lawyer and planning professional were also contacted. Their advice made it clear that there were great difficulties facing people who had found that their property was at risk of demolition, experiencing problems getting necessary legal documents such as Escritura, licences etc. In addition, many also faced the possibility of having to bear heavy costs to install infrastructure on their developments and there were land grab issues. Court action against many were a further threat.

By now, the original group of four had grown to ten.

The group was advised to form itself into an entity, elect an interim committee then legalise itself under Spanish law as an Association. At this time a title for the entity/association should be created. It should have an obvious connection with A.U.N. which is a well known organization, identify itself not only with Albox but also the surrounding valley and be immediately recognised by the media, politicians and the public.

There should also be a robust effort to gain funding and recruit members to the group.

A General Meeting was held on November 30th 2006. The entity was created and the following were elected to form an interim committee:-

President Bob Naya

Vice President Bob Preston

Treasurer Anne Wilson

Secretary Carol Dunkley

Membership Secretary Carole Maneely

The following were then co-opted by election to join the committee, bringing the number of interim committee members to ten:-

Chair of Meetings Bob Morland

Member Mike Phillips

Member Ken Botterill

Member Tony Mason

Member Des Thompson

A Policy Declaration is shown below.

Funding was identified to bring about the legal status of the Association.

In the meantime, the committee is carrying out its members mandate to implement a strategy which includes media publicity, contact with politicians and other groups who could further our cause.

As part of our strategy, marches are planned. Details will be publicised.

DECLARATION OF POLICY

The Association will.. 

Work within a Lawful structure, meeting all Statutory requirements and conducting its affairs as a responsible, non-partisan, non-political and non profit organization.

Be accountable to its members under a constitution and to act under a proper mandate of members.

Foster public opinion and gain support for our Objectives.

Publicise the situation facing owners of property, on developments, that do not meet all criteria necessary to legalise their developments or properties.

Engage with Local Government, Action groups, Associations, Organisations, the Media and other relevant parties, and to collaborate with them when and where there is mutual interest.

Where necessary and as far as it is possible, endeavour to bring about changes and improvements in the political and regulatory system governing Local Authorities, Lawyers, Estate Agents and Builders in so far as ethical standards, obligations and accountability are concerned.

To the best of its ability, inform its members on relevant matters concerning legal, "land-grab", and infrastructure issues.