Junta de Andalucía has come out with a surprise statement declaring that only the illegal properties which have been built in flood zones

Junta de Andalucía says only illegal properties on flood plains or in areas with special environmental protection will be demolished: "The Junta de Andalucía has come out with a surprise statement declaring that only the illegal properties which have been built in flood zones or in areas with special environment protection will continue to be so and will therefore be demolished.

La Voz de Almería reports that the Delegate for Public Works and housing is to communicate the new posture in a new meeting with the Town Halls in the Almanzora valley in Almería, to continue to work for the regularisation of their homes.

It comes as a judge in Almería has ruled that the Junta de Andalucía has no right to cut water and electricity supplies to rural properties which are outside the planning laws.

Jesús Rivera, in Contentious/administrative court 3 in Almería has rejected an appeal from the Council for Public Works of the Junta against an occupation licence granted by Albox Town Hall, which allowed the property owners to connect to water and electricity. The property is on non-buildable land, and has been there for more than six years, with the judge therefore considering that any lack of planning legality to now be out of date.

The case has no judicial precedent and could now see thousands of other such properties across the region making their claim to be connected to services."