Rtn south edition 748

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Issue 748

Could you sell this space? south EDITION

roundtownnews.com

If the answer is yes email your C.V to the Managing Director: geoffgartland@roundtownnews.com 14-20 FEB 2014

EU directive threatens San Miguel residents A HUNDRED homeowners are under threat in San Miguel, due to an EU directive that is trying to change the town’s General Plan. by Keith Nicol

George Edwards

Cricket stars of the future come to Spain THE FIRST intake from the Tom Maynard Trust, came to Spain yesterday (13th February) for an 8-day cricket camp, to end on Friday 21st February with a competitive game against a Spanish Select 11 at the La Manga Club. Read the full story on page 41.

In 2008, a new General Plan for the town was designed and submitted to Alicante and Valanecia, outlining areas of urban and rural land, water courses, lakes, reservoirs and forest regions, which was approved by one and all. Problems started to arise in 2012 when new European Union legislation from Brussels decided that a small area of land, approved for building in San Miguel’s General Plan should be reclassified as forest, to protect wildlife in the region, and that properties built up to a quarter of a century before, would have to undergo a change of use. The land is question was originally a finca and farm, and over the years, properties were legally built here, with the approval of San Miguel Town Hall, Alicante and Valencia. What the EU are saying is that their

authority is higher than that of local regions and that electricity, water and sewage should be cut off to these properties and the land return to rural in nature. Due to the area that has been developed, some owners spent upwards of a decade to ensure that their properties were 100% legal but now the EU are telling them that they can continue to live there, however, they will be unable to sell or transfer the title of the property to another party. The residents have the backing of the mayor who has refused to allow power or water to be cut off and the San Miguel Town Hall have submitted paperwork to take the matter to Spain’s Supreme Court, for an answer to the situation. If the ruling is positive for San Miguel residents, then Spain will take the issue further to the European High Court in order to overturn the directive. Continued on page 8


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