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