Approximately 40% of the Spanish coast is built on, with many of the buildings built without the correct planning permission. The Environment Ministry has now launched an operation to protect the coast and clear buildings from more than 400 miles of coast.
The move sees the government using the Ley de Costas law, passed over twenty years ago, to reclaim the first 550 meters of the coast. The plans apply equally to buildings constructed without planning permission and those legally built. The plans seem also likely to apply to bars, restaurants and hotels built along the seafront.
The decision of the Spanish government to apply the 1988 Ley de Costas law has been widely condemned and pressure groups have been set up to oppose the government. The move first announced in November of 2007 has resulted in many property owners being notified that their property is targeted by the scheme. Some owners have already had the ownership of their property {{{removed|taken away}}, but have been allowed to stay on the premises on the agreement that the property cannot be sold or inherited.
A pressure group formed in Madrid now has over 20,000 members many of them non-Spanish citizens. The head of the pressure group Jose Ortega said "This is the single biggest assault on private property we have seen in the recent history of Spain" and he added "The state is destroying property without any concern for the law or human rights".
It is also alleged, that by applying the 1988 law retroactively to property built in the 1970's, that the government is acting unlawfully in an unlawful manner.
The Spanish property market has always had a reputation for bribery and corruption, with local town hall officials accused of taking bribes in exchange for planning permission. With this move the central government has shown it will no longer tolerate construction on the coast no matter how good developers? connections with local officials are.
So far 1300 buildings built without planning permission have been demolished since the government come to power, with many more owners being issued with 60 year licences allowing occupation of the building for that time without the right to sell to individuals (they may however sell to the government). The multi billion euro scheme to improve the Spanish coast will no doubt add to the beauty of an already stunning area but the cost to the residential tourist market will no doubt be a high one to bear.
These moves come at a time when the once well performing Spanish investment property market has cooled considerably, largely due to rising prices and the development of Eastern Europe as a property hotspot. When once, Spain afforded the prospect of cheap property and a comparatively cheap standard of living to northern Europeans, now investors are inclined to look further afield for good deals. The governments? move is likely to have a negative effect on an already struggling property market.
This great town, which is situated in the county of Dorset on the south coast of England, boasts seven miles of beautiful sandy beaches and lots of attractions!
It's an ideal destination for a family holiday and there is plenty of self catering accommodation in and around the town, which makes it a perfect location to enjoy a traditional British holiday by the sea.
As well as its stunning coastline, Bournemouth offers a wealth of tourist attractions, many shopping and dining opportunities, sports facilities and a great nightlife.
What's more, there are many interesting places surrounding Bournemouth, both inland and along the coast, which are also worth a visit during your stay in this lovely area of the UK.
Bournemouth itself has something for everyone. For those who are looking to enjoy some culture and art, check out the Russell-Cotes Art Gallery & Museum. The lovely building houses an amazing collection of exhibits and art and also has a caf?, children's area and shop ? and admission is free!
A super family attraction is the Oceanarium, which has an abundance of marine life to see. The kids will appreciate a visit here and it's an ideal place to go if it's raining!
If you fancy seeing Bournemouth from a completely different view, then you can take a ride on the Bournemouth Eye, which is a huge helium tethered balloon with a gondola, and takes you up to a height of 500 feet, offering fantastic panoramic views of the town and the surrounding area.
Or, if you prefer, you can take a pleasure boat cruise from Bournemouth Pier. For example, you can take excursions around the bay, to Brownsea Island, Poole, Swanage and Corfe Castle and the Isle of Wight.
Bournemouth Pier is a big tourist attraction itself. It's a great location to take a stroll, admire the views of the coastline, soak up some sun and even watch a show at the Pier Theatre. There is also a bar and restaurant on the pier.
If you want to be entertained during your holiday, you need look no further than Bournemouth. There are many venues and shows etc to choose from. One popular venue is the Bournemouth International Centre (BIC), which plays host to many concerts, conferences and exhibitions. There's also the Pavilion Theatre and Ballroom.
Bournemouth has everything you need for a great night out. It also has an amazing selection of nightclubs, pubs and bars, some of which you might want to check out during your holiday.
This town is also a good location to go shopping. There is a great range of shops and stores in Bournemouth town centre and, if you are an avid shopper, you should also head to Castlepoint Shopping Park, which boasts a huge selection of shops and has something for everyone. You will be able to shop until you drop at Castlepoint!
But if you want to just sit back and take it easy during your UK vacation, Bournemouth has plenty of green spaces in which to relax and escape the hustle and bustle. The Upper, Central and Lower Gardens are definitely worth a visit.
You will also be spoilt for choice by the number of restaurants in the town. You can enjoy a wide variety of cuisine here, too. Whether you fancy some takeaway fish and chips or a three course meal in a restaurant, you will be catered for in Bournemouth.
If you want to keep active during your stay in Bournemouth, there are plenty of sports opportunities in and around the town. You can play golf or tennis, go bowling, biking or swimming. Or you could just take a leisurely walk around Bournemouth and see areas of the town that you might otherwise miss if you travelled by car or public transport.
And if time allows during your vacation, you can always explore some nearby areas, including Poole, Weymouth, Christchurch, Dorchester, Swanage and the beautiful New Forest.
Bournemouth is an ideal UK holiday destination for all the family. It has something for everyone, with beautiful sandy beaches, visitor attractions and plenty of activities to keep you busy during your vacation.
Both Amy Morgan & Daryl Self are contributors for EditorialToday. The above articles have been edited for relevancy and timeliness. All write-ups, reviews, tips and guides published by EditorialToday.com and its partners or affiliates are for informational purposes only. They should not be used for any legal or any other type of advice. We do not endorse any author, contributor, writer or article posted by our team.
Amy Morgan has sinced written about articles on various topics from Real Estate, Finances and Real Estate. Amy Morgan is a freelance journalist writing on for. Amy Morgan's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.
Daryl Self has sinced written about articles on various topics from Finances. Daryl Self is the Managing Director of Self Property Rental, offering a wide selection of !. Daryl Self's top article generates over 4400 views. to your Favourites.