A Málaga judge has ordered the demolition of a house built on what is classified as agricultural land in the Pago Rio Seco area of Nerja. The house owner also faces a jail term of six months and a fine of €2,160.
Construction of the illegal 138.89 square metre house, complete with 28.86 square metre swimming pool, began in the summer of 2001 and the owner was denounced by the Nerja Council in April 2002, a complaint being lodged with the Torrox Court. The Málaga Criminal Court received notice of proceedings in February 2004 and set a hearing date of November 2005.
The defendant admitted that, at the time of starting to build the house, he knew it to be illegal but carried on anyway. His defence, which was rejected by the court, was that ‘others in the area have done the same’.
The ruling by the judge is not final as an appeal can be lodged with the Málaga Provincial Court.