Costa Blanca Calpe Couple win Court Fight over Land Grab

Victory at last
Family Wins Land Grab Court Battle

A Costa Blanca family is celebrating victory in a David and Goliath struggle over the development of property earmarked for a money-spinning housing project under controversial ‘land grab’ legislation.

The ten year battle ended with a High Court judge slamming Calpe Town Hall for waving through a project to build 80 homes near the historic Las Salinas – despite the development never receiving the blessing of regional government planners. Antonia Avargues, whose family own 25 percent of the land needed for the Pla Roig Dos development, said the court’s President Edilberto Narbon Lopez had ordered their “substantial” legal costs be paid by the town hall.

In his ruling, the judge said the plan progressed in the “totally barbaric” pursuit of profit – estimated to be more than 21 percent. And the judge ruled the plan had been annulled. “The project was never passed by the government; therefore the town hall has risen above all the tolerable limits.” He ruled the local authority had “provoked” a succession of court appearances which left the Avargues family facing “unnecessary costs.”

HALT
Work was halted after the long-running legal battle got underway – but not before roads and infrastructure were built – including street lights and electricity boxes for the proposed homes. Antonia told Round Town News the family was faced with selling land under the LRAU laws for a pittance, along with an initial payment of 35,000 euros towards the infrastructure costs……… Read Full Story