Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No
Campaigning to safeguard our homes
AUAN Press release – 31st May 2010
Contact info@almanzora-au.org
Cantoria: Disclosure of Legal Proceedings - for the homeowner at least
In discussions with AUAN, the mayor of Cantoria Pedro Llamas has confirmed that every homeowner in the municipality can now obtain a copy of the Inventory Form (Inventario de edificacion) for their home on presentation of appropriate personal identification.
AUAN strongly recommends that every homeowner in Cantoria should obtain a copy of their form because the section titled ‘situacion juridica’ which indicates if there are any proceedings against a home has now been filled in.
We understand that at least 100 homes in Cantoria have some form of proceedings against them involving a number of different promoters. Other infractions recorded relate to the construction of peripheral buildings such as a garage or a pool house. If you are concerned and need more information please obtain a copy of your form.
Approximately 2,000 structures were catalogued during the execution of the Plan of Inspection in Cantoria whereby the council was required to photograph and document every construction in the municipality on non urban land.
Albox, Albanchez, Arboleas, Lubrin, Oria, Partaloa and Zurgena were ordered to execute similar Inspection Plans in 2008.
Monday, 31 May 2010
Unsustainable Development and Political Corruption
Unsustainable Development and Political Corruption
The arrival of mafias is linked to the development insanity
For the benefit of those non-Spanish-speaking members ( and others. Our thanks to Linda Palfreeman) :
Urban speculation spells moral decay
Almoradi’s San Andrés Cultural Centre was, last Friday, the setting for a conference on Unsustainable Development and Political Corruption. The conference was organized by the Association Plataforma Defensa De La Huerta and sponsored by Abusos Urbanísticos No (AUN)
The guest speakers, emeritus judge of the Supreme Court, José Antonio Martín Pallín and university teacher of law, Manuel Alcaráz Ramos, spoke frankly about the lack of ethics and the widespread corruption now pervading all levels of Spanish society. Attention was drawn, during the debate, to the Valencian community and, in particular, to those areas such as Alicante that are economically dependent on the construction industry. In addition to the problem of illegally built houses, stated Martín Pallín, ‘the race for easy money and lack of scruples has led to the emergence of mafia-related drug crimes and arms trafficking.’
Both speakers underlined the vital importance of tackling the widespread corruption that currently poses a grave threat to Spanish democratic society. Judge Martín Pallín also signaled the link between urban corruption and apparently ‘ordinary and legal’ financial institutions that are carrying out questionable parallel activities in tax havens. The only way to eradicate the illegal finance and tax havens, he declared, is by reducing corruption in its many and varied forms.
The judge went on to voice his belief that prison sentences should not only be applied to those who fail to integrate into society, but also to those who have failed to comply with ethic and moral codes, achieving social and economic status as a result of illegal activities.
It was acknowledged, however, that in order to deal adequately with corruption, some revision of the law is necessary. The slowness (or ultimate failure) in application of the law, explained the judge, has led to an erosion of citizens’ confidence in the legal system. He maintains that those guilty of crimes against the environment, such as illegal construction in rustic or coastal areas, should have the products of that activity (in this case, the buildings) confiscated, in much the same way as is the merchandise of drug smugglers caught with kilos of cocaine.
Both speakers stressed the opinion that it is totally unacceptable to put immoral and unethical behavior of any kind down to ‘human weakness’, as has been done in the past. Manuel Alcáraz described the community of Valencia as a ‘great laboratory for discovering all about corruption in its various forms, where politicians and business entrepreneurs behave as though they are ‘untouchable’ and above the law. The overall message of the debate was clear: it is about time that those guilty of corruption, whomever they may be, be made accountable for their actions.
El 30 de mayo de 2010 21:16, AUN escribió:
Martín Pallín alerta de que la llegada de mafias está ligada a la ´locura urbanística´
El magistrado emérito del Tribunal Supremo participa en una jornada en Almoradí que analiza las relaciones entre urbanismo y poder
EDUARDO DE GEA
El mensaje fue claro y preciso: "Pérdida de ética y corrupción de la clase política, derivada del urbanismo especulativo que financia a los partidos políticos". Esa fue una de las conclusiones de la jornada sobre Urbanismo Insostenible y Corrupción Política celebrada ayer en Almoradí, que ofreció una visión crítica del desarrollo urbanístico y la corrupción desde el punto de vista económico, judicial y político.
El magistrado emérito de la Sala II del Tribunal Supremo, José Antonio Martín Pallín dibujó un panorama sombrío al analizar las aspectos más negativos de "la locura" urbanística que se ha cebado especialmente en zonas económicamente dependientes de la construcción como la provincia de Alicante. "No sólo porque la crisis mundial aquí tiene mayor incidencia. También porque se trata de un sector que ha ido en contra de un turismo que debe ser atractivo, sostenible y rentable". Un sector, aseguró el veterano jurista, que tiene mucho que ver en la aparición de mafias relacionadas con el tráfico de armas y drogas, y "todo, por el dinero fácil y la falta de escrúpulos", aseguró Pallín.
El magistrado alertó sobre la envergadura de la corrupción asegurando que "nunca una sociedad democrática ha sido derribada por el terrorismo, pero por la corrupción sí". Y fue más allá al relacionar la corrupción urbanística con entidades financieras "normales y legales" que "mantienen actividades paralelas en paraísos fiscales. La única forma de desactivar las finanzas ilegales y los paraísos fiscales es disminuir la corrupción, un negocio con infinidad de variedades".
Tras destacar la "inseguridad jurídica en un mundo de leyes desbocadas" valoró que las penas de prisión no sólo deben ser aplicadas a aquellas personas no integradas en la sociedad "también por aquellas integradas que han alcanzando un alto estatus económico, y social, de conocimientos, pero que han fallado en lo ético y lo social dejando de lado la legalidad y cogido el atajo de actividades ilícitas".
Decomiso
En este sentido dijo que el Código Penal "se resistía" hasta ahora a que por este tipo de delitos se entrara en prisión. Sobre la legislación urbanística dijo sentirse "desmoralizado" porque muchas sentencias de derribo no se cumplen, por ello, y como vía alternativa apostó por que "se decomise el producto al igual que cuando se detiene a un traficante con un kilo de cocaína".
--
Posted By Charles Svoboda to Abusos Urbanisticos - NO! President's Blog at 5/30/2010 10:15:00 AM
The arrival of mafias is linked to the development insanity
For the benefit of those non-Spanish-speaking members ( and others. Our thanks to Linda Palfreeman) :
Urban speculation spells moral decay
Almoradi’s San Andrés Cultural Centre was, last Friday, the setting for a conference on Unsustainable Development and Political Corruption. The conference was organized by the Association Plataforma Defensa De La Huerta and sponsored by Abusos Urbanísticos No (AUN)
The guest speakers, emeritus judge of the Supreme Court, José Antonio Martín Pallín and university teacher of law, Manuel Alcaráz Ramos, spoke frankly about the lack of ethics and the widespread corruption now pervading all levels of Spanish society. Attention was drawn, during the debate, to the Valencian community and, in particular, to those areas such as Alicante that are economically dependent on the construction industry. In addition to the problem of illegally built houses, stated Martín Pallín, ‘the race for easy money and lack of scruples has led to the emergence of mafia-related drug crimes and arms trafficking.’
Both speakers underlined the vital importance of tackling the widespread corruption that currently poses a grave threat to Spanish democratic society. Judge Martín Pallín also signaled the link between urban corruption and apparently ‘ordinary and legal’ financial institutions that are carrying out questionable parallel activities in tax havens. The only way to eradicate the illegal finance and tax havens, he declared, is by reducing corruption in its many and varied forms.
The judge went on to voice his belief that prison sentences should not only be applied to those who fail to integrate into society, but also to those who have failed to comply with ethic and moral codes, achieving social and economic status as a result of illegal activities.
It was acknowledged, however, that in order to deal adequately with corruption, some revision of the law is necessary. The slowness (or ultimate failure) in application of the law, explained the judge, has led to an erosion of citizens’ confidence in the legal system. He maintains that those guilty of crimes against the environment, such as illegal construction in rustic or coastal areas, should have the products of that activity (in this case, the buildings) confiscated, in much the same way as is the merchandise of drug smugglers caught with kilos of cocaine.
Both speakers stressed the opinion that it is totally unacceptable to put immoral and unethical behavior of any kind down to ‘human weakness’, as has been done in the past. Manuel Alcáraz described the community of Valencia as a ‘great laboratory for discovering all about corruption in its various forms, where politicians and business entrepreneurs behave as though they are ‘untouchable’ and above the law. The overall message of the debate was clear: it is about time that those guilty of corruption, whomever they may be, be made accountable for their actions.
El 30 de mayo de 2010 21:16, AUN
Martín Pallín alerta de que la llegada de mafias está ligada a la ´locura urbanística´
El magistrado emérito del Tribunal Supremo participa en una jornada en Almoradí que analiza las relaciones entre urbanismo y poder
EDUARDO DE GEA
El mensaje fue claro y preciso: "Pérdida de ética y corrupción de la clase política, derivada del urbanismo especulativo que financia a los partidos políticos". Esa fue una de las conclusiones de la jornada sobre Urbanismo Insostenible y Corrupción Política celebrada ayer en Almoradí, que ofreció una visión crítica del desarrollo urbanístico y la corrupción desde el punto de vista económico, judicial y político.
El magistrado emérito de la Sala II del Tribunal Supremo, José Antonio Martín Pallín dibujó un panorama sombrío al analizar las aspectos más negativos de "la locura" urbanística que se ha cebado especialmente en zonas económicamente dependientes de la construcción como la provincia de Alicante. "No sólo porque la crisis mundial aquí tiene mayor incidencia. También porque se trata de un sector que ha ido en contra de un turismo que debe ser atractivo, sostenible y rentable". Un sector, aseguró el veterano jurista, que tiene mucho que ver en la aparición de mafias relacionadas con el tráfico de armas y drogas, y "todo, por el dinero fácil y la falta de escrúpulos", aseguró Pallín.
El magistrado alertó sobre la envergadura de la corrupción asegurando que "nunca una sociedad democrática ha sido derribada por el terrorismo, pero por la corrupción sí". Y fue más allá al relacionar la corrupción urbanística con entidades financieras "normales y legales" que "mantienen actividades paralelas en paraísos fiscales. La única forma de desactivar las finanzas ilegales y los paraísos fiscales es disminuir la corrupción, un negocio con infinidad de variedades".
Tras destacar la "inseguridad jurídica en un mundo de leyes desbocadas" valoró que las penas de prisión no sólo deben ser aplicadas a aquellas personas no integradas en la sociedad "también por aquellas integradas que han alcanzando un alto estatus económico, y social, de conocimientos, pero que han fallado en lo ético y lo social dejando de lado la legalidad y cogido el atajo de actividades ilícitas".
Decomiso
En este sentido dijo que el Código Penal "se resistía" hasta ahora a que por este tipo de delitos se entrara en prisión. Sobre la legislación urbanística dijo sentirse "desmoralizado" porque muchas sentencias de derribo no se cumplen, por ello, y como vía alternativa apostó por que "se decomise el producto al igual que cuando se detiene a un traficante con un kilo de cocaína".
--
Posted By Charles Svoboda to Abusos Urbanisticos - NO! President's Blog at 5/30/2010 10:15:00 AM
Monday, 24 May 2010
AUAN Press release - 24.5.2010
Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No
Campaigning to safeguard our homes
AUAN Press release – 24th May 2010
Contact info@almanzora-au.org
Register to Vote!
Local Elections are due to take place in Andalucia in May 2011 and all European Citizens are entitled to vote in them.
AUAN (Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No!) have created a ‘Register to Vote’ guide for EU citizens which is now available on their website (http://www.almanzora-au.org/vote.htm). It includes copies of all the forms that you will need and instructions on how to check that you are on the electoral register.
Why bother?
It’s the best way to make your politicians sit up and take notice of the issues that matter to YOU.
AUAN is not a political party. We are a pressure group advocating for a more intelligent and faster solution to the issue of illegal houses.
We believe that this issue has blighted lives and prosperity in this region for too long.
Need help?
AUAN will run a voter registration clinic in Albox on Wednesday 2nd June at Kats Kitchen (next to Serendipity), Calle Cordoba between 10.00am and noon. Further clinics are planned.
Anyone who wants to register to vote is welcome to attend.
Campaigning to safeguard our homes
AUAN Press release – 24th May 2010
Contact info@almanzora-au.org
Register to Vote!
Local Elections are due to take place in Andalucia in May 2011 and all European Citizens are entitled to vote in them.
AUAN (Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No!) have created a ‘Register to Vote’ guide for EU citizens which is now available on their website (http://www.almanzora-au.org/vote.htm). It includes copies of all the forms that you will need and instructions on how to check that you are on the electoral register.
Why bother?
It’s the best way to make your politicians sit up and take notice of the issues that matter to YOU.
AUAN is not a political party. We are a pressure group advocating for a more intelligent and faster solution to the issue of illegal houses.
We believe that this issue has blighted lives and prosperity in this region for too long.
Need help?
AUAN will run a voter registration clinic in Albox on Wednesday 2nd June at Kats Kitchen (next to Serendipity), Calle Cordoba between 10.00am and noon. Further clinics are planned.
Anyone who wants to register to vote is welcome to attend.
Wednesday, 19 May 2010
AUAN Press release - 19.5.2010
Abusos Urbanisticos Almanzora No
Campaigning to safeguard our homes
AUAN Press release – 19th May 2010
Contact info@almanzora-au.org
Third Demolition order set aside in Albox
John and Muriel Burns confirmed today that the demolition order on their home has been set aside and their case will now be retried. This at least gives them some hope for a good outcome in the future.
Three demolition orders have now been set aside by the courts on the basis that the homeowner was not properly informed of the proceedings.
The legal battle continues for the remaining five.
Campaigning to safeguard our homes
AUAN Press release – 19th May 2010
Contact info@almanzora-au.org
Third Demolition order set aside in Albox
John and Muriel Burns confirmed today that the demolition order on their home has been set aside and their case will now be retried. This at least gives them some hope for a good outcome in the future.
Three demolition orders have now been set aside by the courts on the basis that the homeowner was not properly informed of the proceedings.
The legal battle continues for the remaining five.
Friday, 7 May 2010
Maura Hillen (AUAN) radio interview link
The recent interview of Maura Hillen on Energy Radio can be heard at this link:
http://www.supload.com/listen?s=quZXfp
http://www.supload.com/listen?s=quZXfp
Saturday, 1 May 2010
The Last Word on Caparrós
There's an opinion piece in yesterday's leftist Voz de Almería which is pretty interesting:
'There are various possible interpretations for the recent departure of Luis Caparrós from his job as head of obras públicas and the vivienda. His name comes up a lot in the biggest property scandal in the last hundred years - the illegal construction of thousands and thousands of homes in our province. Such a scandal it is, that European parliamentarians have taken interest in the subject, believing that there is a serious case of fraud, ripoff and theft against their citizens living in Almeria province to answer for. The denuncias from the Junta de Andalucía always came late, generally when the house had been built, sold, an escritura issued, and with a British family installed within.
So who should we blame for this shocking state of affairs? Luis Caparrós held all the cards. To try and dodge the blame, Caparrós told the European settlers who wanted to live here not to trust the mayors. And this was the senior representaive for housing for the Junta de Andalucía in Almería talking! With urban politics badly driven over the phone from Seville, and with a department in Almería that didn't know how to help or protect the European home buyers, Almería soon made it to the front pages of all the major European newspapers, as a place to avoid bringing any investment to.
You may find other reasons why Caparrós was sacked, but this one is enough for me. We have lost a huge opportunity for some of our pueblos to find a way to survive since there are few alternatives. All that is needed is supervision, control, vigilence, and that the public administration does its job properly. This didn't happen and along came the demolitions and the suspicions. Good bye Luis!'
Juan Torrijos
'There are various possible interpretations for the recent departure of Luis Caparrós from his job as head of obras públicas and the vivienda. His name comes up a lot in the biggest property scandal in the last hundred years - the illegal construction of thousands and thousands of homes in our province. Such a scandal it is, that European parliamentarians have taken interest in the subject, believing that there is a serious case of fraud, ripoff and theft against their citizens living in Almeria province to answer for. The denuncias from the Junta de Andalucía always came late, generally when the house had been built, sold, an escritura issued, and with a British family installed within.
So who should we blame for this shocking state of affairs? Luis Caparrós held all the cards. To try and dodge the blame, Caparrós told the European settlers who wanted to live here not to trust the mayors. And this was the senior representaive for housing for the Junta de Andalucía in Almería talking! With urban politics badly driven over the phone from Seville, and with a department in Almería that didn't know how to help or protect the European home buyers, Almería soon made it to the front pages of all the major European newspapers, as a place to avoid bringing any investment to.
You may find other reasons why Caparrós was sacked, but this one is enough for me. We have lost a huge opportunity for some of our pueblos to find a way to survive since there are few alternatives. All that is needed is supervision, control, vigilence, and that the public administration does its job properly. This didn't happen and along came the demolitions and the suspicions. Good bye Luis!'
Juan Torrijos
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)