European Property Rights and Wrongs - Diana Wallis MEP

provided many of those who have become our members either individually or collectively
bringing our total to in excess of 30,000. This is a considerable achievement
for a volunteer, not for profit association.
Via several petitions and complaints AUN has formulated or encouraged to the
European Parliament and the Commission, we have sought the intervention of the
European Courts of Justice and have assisted in bringing cases to the European
Court of Human Rights. The Parliament, through the instrument of the Petitions
Committee has sent an unprecedented number of fact finding missions to Spain
to investigate urbanistic abuses extending most recently to areas beyond Valencia.
The result has been three very critical reports all approved by substantial majorities
and a clear direction to the executive and judicial branches of the EU towards
action to end the abuses. We live in the hope that these developments and the
extensive media coverage they have received will not be lost on those politicians
and others who make decisions here.
We will not hesitate to expose new violations of property rights or damage to the
environment and we will encourage others to do the same. Clearly, these activities
on the part of AUN are ongoing, and the story is far from concluded. In a short
time, because the abuses we first identified and experienced in Valencia have also
become commonplace in other regions, AUN has established a national federation
of like minded associations (FAUN). Recently a UK based association of British
owners of Spanish property (POPPIE) has been set up with our support. We will
also keep up our contact with politicians at all levels.
Mr Charles Swoboda AUN 2011
Case study of Empuriabrava
The inland seawater canal area of Empuriabrava was developed from the old
town of Cadanques in Catalonia in 1967. Most of the properties have canal frontage
and a private mooring space and were designed to appeal to purchasers
who wanted access to the water for a private boat, the properties were sold at
premium prices and have attracted a community from all over the EU. The original
marketing campaign was focussed on Germany, Benelux and France from the
outset attracting an international community.
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European Property Wrongs