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An eye-catching property in Águilas, which wouldn’t look out of place on Grand Designs, has found itself at the centre of a police investigation for allegedly being built illegally on protected rural land.

 

The Guardia Civil’s Nature Protection Service (SEPRONA), under the banner of Operation ‘Microcemento’, launched an investigation earlier this year after spotting suspicious construction activity on a rural plot not designated for housing. The land in question is classed as “undeveloped common regime” and is meant for agricultural or livestock use, not residential development.

 

When officers visited the site in February, they discovered two large detached houses already built, covering a total area of around 390 square metres. The plot was simply fenced off with twisted wire, but inside there was heavy construction equipment on site, specifically machinery used to dig out swimming pools.

 

None of the development had the necessary planning permission, and there was no approved project in place. Technical reports confirmed that the construction was completely incompatible with the area’s General Municipal Management Plan, which governs how land in the municipality can be used.

 

The result of the investigation is that one person is now being formally investigated as the suspected perpetrator of an offence against land management and urban planning. The case also involves alleged damage to historical heritage and the environment.

 

Under Spain’s Penal Code – specifically Articles 319 and 320 – this kind of offence can carry serious penalties, including prison sentences of between one and a half to four years, fines of up to two years’ worth of income, and in some cases, a court order to demolish the unauthorised buildings at the cost of those responsible.

 

This is not the first time illegally built properties in the area have been shut down by police. In November of last year, illegal structures at the Calarreona campsite in Águilas were ordered to be demolished and just last month Mazarrón police also stopped property owners from building on protected land in the municipality.

 

Images: Guardia Civil