What is DAFO?

The SOHA.ESPI “What is DAFO?” event at Mis Tapitas (affectionately known as Billy’s Bar), was a great success.
The venue was packed out, with the audience overflowing onto the terrace. It was reported on the front page of Euro Weekly News on April 23rd, and P10 of Sur in English on April 22nd. Also probably inspired by reports of the meeting, BoT 159 , quoting an Olive Press article on the meeting, mentions the Junta’s pressuring Ayuntamientos to declare “99%” of houses built on rural land illegal or needing to apply for DAFO, leading towards the immediate or final demolition of all such properties.

Martyn Wroe points out that I did not mention in the news and web articles the fact that when a householder makes an application for DAFO, they are agreeing to have their building licence annulled!

Here is his comment;
“John’s article, so far as I read it, does not report absolutely everything that was said.
Perhaps it could have started by saying that the presentation was intended to clarify the situation as there have been several conflicting stories re DAFO
The most notable omission is that DAFO (if it is obtained)  annuls any “previous legal documentation that has been obtained “ and which was obtained  “in good faith”, and perhaps emphasising that there is considerable political pressure being put on the Junta to be more flexible, particularly as the current proposals affect many Spanish “traditional” owners – and SOHA.ES is also concerned about them”.

Thanks again, Martyn for all your informed and pertinent comments.

Read the full article here.

National Coordinating Body

A national coordinating body has been formed for all the associations of home owners such as SOHA.ES and AUAN. It is called CAJU (Coordinator of Associations for Justice in Urbanism).

Read the full article in English here. Spanish here.

No Demolition Without Compensation

In the North of Spain, judges are reminding the authorities of their duty to ensure payment of compensation to innocent third parties when demolitions are ordered. However, the judge insisted that the demolition should go ahead, after compensation has been assured.

Read the full article in English here. Spanish here.

Hollow Victory for Priors

The Priors have finally been awarded compensation in a Spanish court, but it is only sufficient to cover their legal costs, which have been awarded on a shared basis. Since they never did anything wrong, and were forced to defend themselves in court, this seems totally unjust.
To add insult to injury, Vera Town hall are appealing the sentence. Enough is enough say AUAN.

Read the full article here.