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The Regularization of illegal houses will be in July

AUAN, 10th June 2016

AUAN spent a marathon day in the Parliament of Andaluc�a on Wednesday 8th of June 2016 to promote a speedy implementation of a change to the Planning Laws (LOUA) to provide a way forward for thousands, although not all, irregular houses.
The meetings in parliament were attended by the president of AUAN, Maura Hillen, the association’s spokesperson, Gerardo V�zquez, and representatives of other groups from other parts of Andaluc�a, including SOHA from Malaga, coordinated within the Andalusian Confederation for Planning Legalization (CALU).
According to Gerardo V�zquez ‘ we were very pleased with the reception given by the various political groups to those affected and we understand that they are going to make an effort to ensure that the planned change in the LOUA is approved in July. In fact we understand a paper will be issued to the Commission of Planning next Tuesday regarding the proposed amendments to the bill which will reactivate the process.
With regard to the request of the associations for an interim solution for houses without water and electricity, he said ‘I believe that all parties want to provide a solution to this problem because it is not acceptable that there are thousands of people living in a European country without water fit for human consumption. Some of the federation members tell us that this situation has lasted for 30 years even though they are on urban land.
We are asking for a fast and simple measure, based on a PSOE amendment of 2012 which was ineffective at that time because the duration of this special measure was too short. Having discussed the matter in detail with the POSE, we understand that they believe that their latest proposed amendment regarding urbanisations awaiting legalisation via a town plan will provide the desired solution. Whilst we are not convinced of this, our priority is to get this bill approved whilst at the same time not losing hope that there will be a change of position and that a clearer, simpler and faster solution to the issue of interim services will be provided within the current bill’.
As for the request of the collectives for the formation of a working party within parliament which would include representatives of the estimated 300,000 illegal houses in Andalucia, Sr. Vazuez said ‘we understand that in general the political groups do not think that this is a crazy idea, given that more dialogue and participation is required in the society of today. However, we believe that the socialist group is not totally convinced that this is either necessary or workable and they say that they are open to dialogue and to facilitate solutions, a statement that in our experience we have found to be true. We will continue this discussion after the approval of the change to the LOUA, because this is the top priority for our association given that we believe that the bill will solve many of the problems of those affect, at least in the Valle del Almanzora.’
He concluded by saying ‘ I have always said that we have confidence in our political groups and we hope to continue to work with them to provide solutions for the difficult situation that thousands of families in Andaluc�a are obliged to live with every day. For now we hope that the next time that we go to the Parliament of Andaluc�a will be in July to witness the approval of the bill and to applaud and congratulate the legislators’.

Espanol

Tras una jornada maratoniana en el Parlamento Andaluz y el l�gico d�a de descanso, AUAN nos informa de sus reuniones mantenidas el mi�rcoles d�a 8 de junio de 2016 en el Parlamento Andaluz, al que acudieron para interesarse por la pronta aprobaci�n del cambio en la LOUA para dar salida a miles de viviendas irregulares, aunque no a todas.

A las reuniones en el Parlamento acudieron la Presidenta de AUAN Maura Hillen, su portavoz Gerardo V�zquez, as� como representantes de otros colectivos venidos de otras partes de Andaluc�a, coordinados dentro de la Confederaci�n Andaluza por la Legalizaci�n Urban�stica (CALU), incluyendo SOHA de M�laga.
Nos informa Gerardo V�zquez “la verdad es que estamos muy contentos con la acogida que los diferentes grupos pol�ticos brindaron a los afectados y entendemos que se va a hacer un esfuerzo para que el cambio previsto en la LOUA se apruebe en Julio. De hecho entendemos que el pr�ximo martes sale la ponencia en la Comisi�n de Medioambiente y Ordenaci�n del Territorio del Parlamento que aprueba el informe inicial de la Comisi�n sobre las enmiendas presentadas a la reforma. Ello reactivar� la tramitaci�n.”

Preguntado sobre la petici�n de los colectivos de una soluci�n interina para las viviendas sin servicios de agua y luz adecuados, dice “creo que todos los grupos est�n por la labor de dar una soluci�n a este problema, pues no es aceptable que en Europa haya miles de personas viviendo sin agua potable, algunos de los cuales nos informan de que llevan 30 a�os as�, y para colmo en suelo urbano seg�n nos dicen. Nosotros hab�amos pedido una medida simple y r�pida, basada en una enmienda del PSOE del a�o 2012 que no se pudo implementar a tiempo, pues hab�a un plazo de implementaci�n demasiado corto. Tras comentar esta cuesti�n detalladamente con el grupo socialista del Parlamento, ellos consideran que una enmienda que han propuesto sobre asentamientos dar� una soluci�n a corto plazo para estas viviendas, y aunque no estamos convencidos de ello, nuestra prioridad es que se apruebe el proyecto de la LOUA para despu�s seguir trabajando en los problemas, aunque no hemos perdido toda la esperanza de que pueda haber un cambio de parecer, y se pueda implementar con este proyecto una soluci�n m�s clara, simple y r�pida.”

En cuanto a la petici�n de los colectivos de la formaci�n de un grupo de trabajo en el seno del Parlamento Andaluz, que contar�a con la presencia de representantes de las 300.000 viviendas ilegales que se estima existen en Andaluc�a, que puede afectar a un mill�n de personas aproximadamente, dice Gerardo “entendemos que a la gran generalidad de los grupos pol�ticos no les parece una idea descabellada, pues entiendo que hoy en d�a la sociedad requiere una amplia participaci�n y di�logo sobre los asuntos que les concierne. No obstante, creo que no hemos convencido totalmente al grupo socialista, pues entendemos que no lo ven necesario ni operativo y nos dicen que siempre han estado abiertos a dialogar y facilitar soluciones, lo cual tengo que confesar que es cierto, aunque seguiremos hablando de este asunto tras la aprobaci�n del cambio en la LOUA, pues eso es lo m�s importante para nuestro colectivo, y creemos que resolver� muchos de los problemas de los afectados, por lo menos en el Valle del Almanzora.”

Termina diciendo Gerardo V�zquez “siempre he dicho que confiamos en los grupos pol�ticos y esperamos seguir trabajando con ellos para dar soluci�n a una angustiosa situaci�n con la que tienen que convivir a d�a de hoy miles de familias andaluzas. Por ahora esperamos que la pr�xima vez que tengan que acudir los afectados al Parlamento Andaluz sea efectivamente en julio y que sea para la muy deseada aprobaci�n del proyecto de ley en ciernes, aplaudiendo y d�ndole la enhorabuena a los legisladores.”

 

Peaceful Protest in support of Helen and Len Prior

The home owners association AUAN has informed the authorities of its intention to organise a peaceful demonstration outside of the Town Hall of Vera on 19th May at 12.00 noon in support of Helen and Len Prior. According to AUAN’s president, Maura Hillen ‘the reason for this gathering is to ask our authorities to once and for all find a way to put an end to the ordeal of Helen and Len Prior whose house was demolished without compensation in 2008 in spite of having planning permission’.

 

La asociaci�n AUAN nos informa que es su intenci�n realizar una concentraci�n-manifestaci�n p�blica pacifica el jueves d�a 19 de mayo de 2016, en Vera ciudad empezando a las 12 horas del mediod�a. Seg�n Maura Hillen, Presidente de AUAN, “el motivo de dicha concentraci�n es para pedir a los poderes p�blicos resuelvan de una vez por todas el sufrimiento de los Sres Helen y Len Prior cuya vivienda fue demolida sin indemnizaci�n en el a�o 2008 pese a tener licencia urban�stica, pidiendo se ponga fin al calvario de estos Sres.” A�ade, la Sra Hillen, “Aparte de ello, tambi�n pedimos a los poderes p�blicos que fomenten los cambios legislativos necesarios para dotar al mercado inmobiliario de mayor seguridad jur�dica, y queremos que, como medida urgente se extienda la fehaciencia del Registro de la Propiedad a todas las cuestiones fundamentales que puedan afectar a un bien inmueble, incluidas las urban�sticas, para evitar que inocentes consumidores compradores caigan en la trampa de hacer la mayor inversi�n de su vida y compren una vivienda que aparenta estar perfectamente inscrita en el Registro de la Propiedad sin anotaci�n de problema urban�stico alguno y que, sin embargo, pudiese ser ilegal e incluso sujeta a una orden de demolici�n. Algo parecido a lo que les ocurri� a los Sres Prior.”

 

AUAN says 'Enough is Enough' in Prior's case

25th April 2016

 

In what could prove to be a hollow victory, Contentious-Administrative Court number 3 in Almer�a has ordered the Town Hall of Vera to pay compensation of 425,185.43 Euros, plus interest, to Helen and Len Prior whose home in Vera was demolished in 2008 despite having planning permission from Vera Council, when the regional authorities challenged and revoked the permission and sent in the bulldozers.

 

The problem, according to AUAN, is that this judgement can be appealed and the possibility of future legal actions by the Town Hall could further delay compensation for Mr and Mrs Prior. Faced with this, AUAN is once again demanding justice for the Priors. According to Maura Hillen, president of AUAN, ‘Enough is enough. The Calvary of the Priors had lasted for nearly ten years.

They did nothing wrong except to trust the Spanish State and its legal system. Now is the time to pay them and to put an end to their odyssey, which is so harmful and damaging for them and for everyone who lives here. Whilst fortunately things have changed for foreign investors as a result of legislative changes in the last year, those changes have come too late for Helen and Len Prior’. Added Mrs Hillen, ‘We ask that the Priors be compensated once and for all. It is not acceptable that they must continue to live in their garage suffering continuous moral damage. The house of their dreams was demolished before their eyes, they had to empty it of furniture in a few hours with the support of their neighbours, Mr Prior collapsed due to the stress of the demolition, he had to spend some time in a wheelchair and as if that wasn’t enough some lowlifes recently stole their belongings from the garage in which they live.’ ‘Enough really is enough.’ She repeated.

Espanol:

http://www.europapress.es/andalucia/almeria-00350/noticia-ayuntamiento-vera-debe-indemnizar-matrimonio-prior-derribo-casa-20160425130323.html

 

AUAN meets with Vice President of Cantabria 

18th April 2016

 

Gerardo Vazquez, spokesperson for AUAN, visited Cantabria this weekend to attend the formation of the Coordinadora de Asociaciones pro-Justicia en el Urbanismo (CAJU), a newly formed coordinating committee for the pro-Justice in planning associations, and also to meet with the Vice President of the Cantabrian government, Do�a Eva D�az Tezanos, and the director general of planning in Cantabria, Don Francisco Gonz�lez Buend�a. Also present during the meeting were representatives of other associations from various parts of Spain coordinated under the common umbrella of CAJU.
The groups present in the meeting, also represented by Antonio Vilela de AMA in Cantabria, and Antonio Cascante a lawyer from Galicia, explained that the problem of illegal houses is not exclusive to Cantabria, and that they calculated that up to 2 million people could be affected in Spain. They emphasised that the reforms in article 108.3 of the Contentious Administrative Law and article 319.3 of the Criminal Code, requiring compensation for those who had acted in good faith prior to demolition, represented a lifeline for many people. However, they emphasised the need for greater depth in the legal changes required to provide judicial certainty to the Spanish Property market.
In particular, CAJU is asking for a reform that would allow people to rely on the accuracy of the Land Registry regarding planning issues. They explained that it is currently possible to buy a property that is registered on the Land Registry without any hint of a problem, even obtaining a mortgage to buy it, only to later receive a notification through the post that the property is illegal and is going to be demolished. CAJU understands that this represents a serious breach in legal certainty and that this is not acceptable a modern European constitutional state. 
Gerardo Vazquez explains the ‘we were well received by the Vice President and the director general of planning, who showed a sensitivity and good will towards the problem that we hope will be extended to all political groups, as well as to the social and economic agents that we speak to on occasion and to those who want to delve into the matter’.

 

AUAN SE REUNE CON LA VICEPRESIDENTA DEL GOBIERNO C�NTABRO

18 abril 2016

Gerardo V�zquez, portavoz de AUAN, ha viajado a Cantabria este fin de semana para asistir a la formaci�n de la Coordinadora de Asociaciones pro-Justicia en el Urbanismo (CAJU), reuni�ndose asimismo con la vicepresidenta del Gobierno C�ntabro Do�a Eva D�az Tezanos y el director general de urbanismo de Cantabria Don Francisco Gonz�lez Buend�a. En la reuni�n con la vicepresidenta estuvieron presentes representantes de otras asociaciones venidas de diferentes puntos de la geograf�a espa�ola coordinadas bajo el paraguas com�n de CAJU.
Los colectivos presentes en la reuni�n, representados tambi�n por Antonio Vilela de AMA en Cantabria, y Antonio Cascante abogado venido de Galicia, explicaron que la problem�tica de las viviendas ilegales no es exclusiva de Cantabria, y que calculan que pueden existir hasta 2 millones de personas afectadas en Espa�a. Hicieron hincapi� en las reformas habidas del 108.3 de la Ley de la Jurisdicci�n Contencioso-Administrativa y el art. 319.3 del C�digo Penal, que han representado una tabla de salvaci�n para muchas personas. No obstante, explicaron la necesidad de profundizar en los cambios normativos necesarios para dotar de seguridad jur�dica al mercado inmobiliario espa�ol.
En concreto, CAJU pide una reforma para que la gente pueda fiarse de lo que dice el Registro de la Propiedad en cuestiones urban�sticas. Explican que ahora mismo, es posible comprar una casa inscrita en el Registro de la Propiedad sin rastro de problema alguno, incluso hipotec�ndose para la compraventa, y que despu�s llegue una notificaci�n por el buz�n de que la casa es ilegal y se va a demoler. CAJU entiende que ello crea un grave quebranto en la seguridad jur�dica, afectando a inocentes compradores y que ello no es aceptable en un estado moderno europeo de derecho. 
Explica Gerardo V�zquez “tuvimos muy buen acogimiento por parte de la vicepresidenta y del director general de urbanismo, los cuales muestran sensibilidad ante la problem�tica y una buena disposici�n, y confiamos en que ese tambi�n sea extensible a todos los grupos pol�ticos, as� como los agentes sociales y econ�micos, con los que tambi�n estamos contactando y hemos hablado en algunas ocasiones, y con los que queremos profundizar en este asunto.”

 

AUAN and AMA push for coordination at a national level for those affected by housing issues��

13th April 2016

•  The legal advisor to AUAN, Gerardo Vazquez, is travelling to Santander to meet with other legal advisors to those affected by cases involving purchasers in good faith from Andalusia, Galicia and Cantabria. The meeting will take place on the 15th April in Santander.

•   The meeting will be chaired by Antonio Vilela, president of the Cantabrian association known as ‘AMA’.

•  The emphasis is on the need to find more agile and definitive solutions for purchasers in good faith.

•  A coordinator will be appointed between associations representing those affected in all of Spain, in order to search for justice for innocent families who run the risk of seeing their home demolished without having done anything wrong.

•  A conference has been organised regarding ‘measures to avoid a lack of protection for citizens in the �rea of property and the administration’

•  A working party is being considered to present new legal measures at a regional and national level in order to give greater legal protection to citizens.

Legal advisors for those affected by demolition orders in Andalusia, Galicia and Cantabria will meet on Friday 15th April in Santander, with the objective of coordinating their work and pushing for new legislative initiatives to protect citizens. Also, with this trip, AUAN wishes to express its solidarity with the victims of administrative abuses in the North of Spain.

According to Antonio Vilela, ‘ The concern for the situation of thousands of families mistreated by individuals and Public Administrations, their legal uncertainty and the lack of solutions, requires that we continue to work to find solutions. We must follow the path taken in the previous legislature, where these groups spearheaded important legislative changes, among them, the approval by agreement of all the political powers in the Senate of a change to article 319.3 of the Criminal Code. This change represents an important advance for citizens faced with the wrongdoings of businesses, constructors and other individuals who abused the good faith of citizens, in many cases committing actual fraud. We also spearheaded an importance advance in the area of Contentious Administrative Law with the approval, also with consensus, in the Senate of article 108.3 of the LRJCA, which opened the doors to real protection for third parties against the illicit activities of Public Administrations. These reforms serve to prevent abuses against people that, through no fault of their own, can be deprived of their constitutional rights such as the right to a home and the right to property’.

 For his part Gerardo Vazquez added, ‘ These initiatives were presented in the Senate by the PSOE, and subsequently supported by the PP, and the rest of the political groups, and we hope that this unanimity will also be the case in the future’. The aforementioned meeting will study the current legal situation, the application of new regulations and their application in existing legal proceedings, and above all will work to develop legislative measures to provide solutions to existing problem of legal uncertainty, creating a permanent working party, which in addition to studying new measures, studies the application of those already approved, publishing an annual report on the situation in our country.

 According to Antonio Vilela ‘ The lack of protection for third parties in good faith in administrative proceedings is without doubt one of the greatest omissions in our legal system, whereby it becomes necessary to adapt our legislation to give real solutions to our citizens. Proceedings that last more than 25 years, without providing solutions to families speak only of the malfunction of our justice system in this arena. Under consideration is the creation of a structure and system of coordination between the different associations currently involved in these issues in order to achieve a greater level of information’

Gerardo Vazquez added ‘ Coordination and a working group will try to work, not only with the individual associations, but also with the federations, confederations and existing platforms that campaign against urban abuses and in favour of planning legislation.

Antonio Vilela concluded by saying ‘The possible loss of their home is one of the greatest harms that can be done to thousands of families, and requires that we continue to look for more just solutions that do not leave the innocent in the street without their homes whilst the guilty enjoy the fruits of the wrongdoings or fraud on the beach’.

 

AUAN Y AMA IMPULSAN UNA COORDINADORA NACIONAL DE AFECTADOS ��

13th April 2016

•  El Asesor Jur�dico de AUAN, Gerardo Vazquez, viaja a Santander para reunirse con otros asesores jur�dicos de afectados por actuaciones contra compradores de buena fe, de Andaluc�a, Galicia y Cantabria. La reuni�n tendr� lugar el viernes 15 de abril en Santander.

•   La reuni�n ser� presidida por Antonio Vilela, Presidente de la asociaci�n C�ntabra conocida como “AMA”.

•  Enfatizan la necesidad de obtener soluciones adicionales �giles y definitivas para los terceros de buena fe.

•  Se crear� una coordinadora entre asociaciones de afectados de toda Espa�a, para buscar justicia para familias inocentes que aun corren el riesgo de ver su vivienda demolida sin que tengan culpa alguna.

•  Se organizar�n unas Jornadas sobre “medidas para evitar la situaci�n de desprotecci�n de los ciudadanos en el �mbito inmobiliario y administrativo”

•  Se pondr� en pie un grupo de trabajo para la presentaci�n de nuevas iniciativas jur�dicas a nivel auton�mico y nacional, con el fin de dar mayor seguridad jur�dica a los ciudadanos.

Asesores jur�dicos de afectados por sentencias de derribo en Andaluc�a, Galicia y Cantabria, se reunir�n el pr�ximo viernes 15 de abril en Santander, con el fin de coordinar sus trabajos e impulsar nuevas iniciativas legislativas que protejan a los ciudadanos. Asimismo, con este viaje, AUAN desea mostrar su solidaridad con las v�ctimas de abusos administrativos del Norte de Espa�a.

Dice Antonio Vilela, “La preocupaci�n por la situaci�n de miles de familias maltratadas por particulares y Administraciones P�blicas, su inseguridad jur�dica, y la falta de soluciones definitivas para las mismas, nos hace seguir trabajando en la b�squeda de soluciones. Tenemos como referente el camino ya realizado en la pasada legislatura, donde estos colectivos impulsaron importantes iniciativas legislativas, entre ellas, la aprobaci�n por consenso de todas las fuerzas pol�ticas en el Senado del art�culo 319.3 del C�digo Penal. Esta reforma ha supuesto un importante avance para los ciudadanos ante los il�citos cometidos por empresarios, constructores y dem�s particulares, que abusando de la buena fe de los ciudadanos, en muchos casos han realizado verdaderas estafas. Tambi�n hemos tenido un importante avance en el �mbito Contencioso-Administrativo con la aprobaci�n, tambi�n por consenso, en el Senado del art�culo 108.3 LRJCA, que ha abierto las puertas a una protecci�n real del tercero de fe frente a las actuaciones il�citas de las Administraciones P�blicas. Estas reformas tratan de impedir abusos contra personas que, sin ninguna responsabilidad, se puedan ver privados de derechos constitucionales como el derecho a una vivienda digna y el derecho de propiedad”../p>

 Por su parte Gerardo Vazquez a�ade, “Estas iniciativas fueron presentadas en el Senado por el PSOE, y lograron el consiguiente apoyo del PP, y el resto de los grupos pol�ticos, y esperamos que esa sea unanimidad sea la t�nica habitual tambi�n para el futuro”.  En la citada reuni�n se estudiar� la situaci�n jur�dica actual, la aplicaci�n de las nuevas normas aprobadas y sus consecuencias reales en los procesos judiciales, y sobre todo se trabajar� en el desarrollo de medidas legislativas para dar soluci�n a los problemas de seguridad jur�dica que a�n persisten actualmente, creando un grupo de trabajo permanente, que estudie tanto nuevas medidas, as� como el desarrollo de las ya aprobadas, emitiendo un informe anual sobre la situaci�n en nuestro pa�s.

 

 Seg�n Antonio Vilela, “La desprotecci�n los ciudadanos terceros de buena fe en los procedimientos administrativos es sin duda una de las mayores lagunas en nuestro ordenamiento jur�dico, donde es necesario adaptar nuestra legislaci�n para dar soluciones reales a los ciudadanos. Procesos que duran m�s de 25 a�os, sin dar una soluci�n a las familias, hablan por si solos de mal funcionamiento de nuestra justicia en este �mbito. Con el fin lograr tener un mayor nivel de informaci�n, se estudiar�n la creaci�n de una estructura y coordinaci�n de las diferentes asociaciones que actualmente se ocupan de estas situaciones en las diversas comunidades aut�nomas”.

 A�ade Gerardo Vazquez “La coordinadora y el grupo de trabajo pretende trabajar, no solo con asociaciones individuales, sino tambi�n con las federaciones, confederaciones y plataformas existentes que luchan contra abusos urban�sticos y a favor de la legalizaci�n urban�stica, con las cuales ya mantenemos relaci�n”.

Asimismo, se est� trabajando para la realizaci�n de unas Jornadas sobre “medidas para evitar la situaci�n de desprotecci�n de los ciudadanos en el �mbito inmobiliario y administrativo” as� como la necesidad de apoyo a los ciudadanos ante las actuaciones irregulares de particulares y Administraciones P�blicas.

Termina declarando Antonio Vilela, “La posible p�rdida de la vivienda es uno de los da�os m�s importantes que se puede hacer a miles de familias, y merece la pena seguir esforz�ndose en busca de soluciones m�s justas y que no dejen al inocente en la calle y sin su vivienda, y al culpable disfrutando en la playa del fruto del il�cito o estafa realizada”.