Monday, April 10, 2006
Costa Blanca News 7 4 2006: British Embassy investigates land law abuses
By Tom Cain
The British embassy this week sent its first secretary Bruce Bucknell to Alicante to investigate land grab abuses carried out under the now defunct LRAU land law.
The top diplomat met Valencia ombudsman Bernardo del Rosal in Alicante before heading to Benissa to meet representatives of Abusos Urbanísticos No and its president Charles Svoboda. While there, he discussed some of the thousands of cases involving the unfair and illegal expropriation of property carried out under the guise of public interest projects and backed by the LRAU land law.
After meeting Mr Svoboda, the first secretary moved on to Valencia to meet Pedro Grimalt, the understudy to Rafael Blasco, head of Valencia's housing and territories council. Mr Bucknell outlined worries that the new LUV land law is generating and asked for explanations as to the role of developers in relation to projects deemed to be in the public interest.
The British Embassy investigation could see other EU embassies following suit if land law abuse complaints are found to be justified.
EU REJECTS NEW LAW
Michael Cashman, first vice chair of the EU Petition's committee has said he is delighted to hear that the European Commission has declared it remains unsatisfied with the new LUV land law in the Valencia Region, in that it still does not comply with European laws.
He said: “A law in the region is being abused and people are being exploited. Essentially, a non-transparent and complicated law is being exploited by unscrupulous businesses and officials in Valencia resulting in people having to pay fines or even losing their land and homes.”
He added that the European parliament has been vigorously defending the rights of citizens of all nationalities who have been affected by these abuses. After careful analysis of the new law adopted in Valencia – a law specifically to address the 'land grab problems' – the European Commission agrees with the European parliament that breaches of EC law are still taking place.
Valencia has two months to respond to the EU's concerns.
QUICK RESPONSE
Councillor Blasco challenged the commission to take Valencia to court over the LUV. He added that amendments to the law can only be carried out by national government.
tomcain@costablancanews.es
ARISE SIR STEPHEN
British Ambassador to Spain Stephen Wright KCMG was conferred the honour of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace last week. Sir Stephen and Lady Wright pose proudly outside the palace.
By Tom Cain
The British embassy this week sent its first secretary Bruce Bucknell to Alicante to investigate land grab abuses carried out under the now defunct LRAU land law.
The top diplomat met Valencia ombudsman Bernardo del Rosal in Alicante before heading to Benissa to meet representatives of Abusos Urbanísticos No and its president Charles Svoboda. While there, he discussed some of the thousands of cases involving the unfair and illegal expropriation of property carried out under the guise of public interest projects and backed by the LRAU land law.
After meeting Mr Svoboda, the first secretary moved on to Valencia to meet Pedro Grimalt, the understudy to Rafael Blasco, head of Valencia's housing and territories council. Mr Bucknell outlined worries that the new LUV land law is generating and asked for explanations as to the role of developers in relation to projects deemed to be in the public interest.
The British Embassy investigation could see other EU embassies following suit if land law abuse complaints are found to be justified.
EU REJECTS NEW LAW
Michael Cashman, first vice chair of the EU Petition's committee has said he is delighted to hear that the European Commission has declared it remains unsatisfied with the new LUV land law in the Valencia Region, in that it still does not comply with European laws.
He said: “A law in the region is being abused and people are being exploited. Essentially, a non-transparent and complicated law is being exploited by unscrupulous businesses and officials in Valencia resulting in people having to pay fines or even losing their land and homes.”
He added that the European parliament has been vigorously defending the rights of citizens of all nationalities who have been affected by these abuses. After careful analysis of the new law adopted in Valencia – a law specifically to address the 'land grab problems' – the European Commission agrees with the European parliament that breaches of EC law are still taking place.
Valencia has two months to respond to the EU's concerns.
QUICK RESPONSE
Councillor Blasco challenged the commission to take Valencia to court over the LUV. He added that amendments to the law can only be carried out by national government.
tomcain@costablancanews.es
ARISE SIR STEPHEN
British Ambassador to Spain Stephen Wright KCMG was conferred the honour of Knight Commander of the Most Distinguished Order of St Michael and St George by Her Majesty The Queen at Buckingham Palace last week. Sir Stephen and Lady Wright pose proudly outside the palace.
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