Leading law firm warns 'don't panic' over new Spanish coastline protection initiative
Coastal strategy alarm for Spanish property owners
07/11/2007
One of Spain's leading lawyers has warned Spanish property owners not to panic over the publication of a strategy document produced by the Spanish Ministry of Environmental Affairs on coastal sustainability.
The document entitled "A strategy for coastal sustainability" has caused alarm in the UK amongst some owners of Spanish properties and potential investors.
Jose Maria De Lorenzo, a Partner at law firm Irwin Mitchell which has offices in Spain and the UK said: "It is important that people realise that this document is merely a report which analyses the current situation of the Spanish coastline. It is neither a law nor a compulsory article."
The report aims to structure the future management of the coastline ensuring the protection and conservation of the coastline as well as guaranteeing access for public use and to recover and transform the parts of the coastline which have become degraded.
The document's main goal is to develop new initiatives for coastline development which are not based on building activity but instead are focused on the promotion of the coastlines natural resources and their conservation. The strategy therefore calls for an end to uncontrolled building activity on the coastline.
The report details the challenges the Spanish Government face to protect the coast line, these are:
- a) Stop the massive occupation of the coastline
- b) Recover the coast physical and natural utility
- c) Mitigate the effects of climate change
- d) Change the coastline management model
Mr De Lorenzo concluded "This is the first detailed analysis of the Spanish coastline which brings together a range of authorities, organisations, and citizens to analyse the existing problems with the sustainability of the coast."
"Whilst we would recommend that people who already own, or who are looking to invest in coastline properties check with their lawyer whether the spot chosen is under potential risk, at this early stage, they should not panic.
"This proposal will require a lot more consultation and agreement from the many parties involved and further discussion will be necessary on how to achieve the goals of the report."