The old ruse of applying for building permission for an apero (brick, tool shed) and an alberca (water-storage pond) but building a chalet complete with swimming pool has had its day.

This is where one property owner came unstuck in the metropolitan area of Granada resulting in his nice little home being demolished.

The couple had built their cosy cottage on suelo no urbanizable de especial proteccion in other words; greenbelt land.

They were taken to court by the Town Hall and found guilty in 2024. Each received an 18-month, suspended prison sentence, fined and barred from building anything for a year. They also have to pay from their own pocket the demolition costs of the dwelling.

However, they appealed before a provincial court, requesting a cancellation on the demolition order. The appeal was rejected. In fact the higher court upheld the full ruling of the lower court.

Special credence was lent to the testimony provided by officers from Seprona, who inspected the dwelling in question, and who certified that the chalet had been built on “protected rural land” and did not even have a building licence. This was backed by the Municipal Surveyor.

In their defence the couple pointed out that there were other houses in the area, some even larger than theirs and not just one-storey buildings, which had been there for years. The judges were having none of it, and considered that the illegality of the build, was obvious.

The chalet  was practically finished, including the construction of a pool and garden, a fireplace, and a built-in barbecue.

(News: City & Metropolitan Area, Granada, Andalucia)

Keywords: Illegal Chalet, Apero, Greenbelt Land, Demolition Ordered

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