Frances Leate
CAMPAIGNERS who have been told they can not rebuild or repair their fire damaged homes because of Spanish laws are set to fight harder than ever in 2013 to get their properties liveable again.
After scores of people who lost their homes in the Malaga fires last August spent Christmas homeless, members of the Phoenix Campaign have vowed to embark on a series of new actions to get permission to go ahead with work.
The campaign group was set up last year with the help of the Olive Press to put pressure on the Junta of Andalucía, who has still not granted them permission to start work on their damaged properties four months after they were destroyed.
A change of law has meant that all homeowners who had not received the proper planning permission, often unwittingly, when the property was first built must now go through their town halls and then the Junta to get the correct legislation and this includes the fire victims who are now desperate to start repair work.
Following a December meeting with the Mayor of Mijas in December, organised by the Olive Press, the group are set to take their plight to Ojen Town Hall, the British Embassy and, crucially, the Junta of Andalucía.
Pat Laing, spokesperason for the campaign, said: “A formal petition has gone from the Town Hall to the Andalucian Parliament and no reply has been received.
“They are required to reply within six months, so we have a small window to try to pile pressure on the Junta.
“Letters will be written to all the political parties, the consulates and the Defensor del Pueblo de España and de Andalucia.
“The Mayor said we have his 100% support and spelt out what we have to do to put pressure on the Junta.”
She added: “It is going to be a very busy New Year.”
Campaigners are also hoping to join forces with the hundreds of people who lost their homes in the floods that also took place in September.
Anyone who may be able to help with Spanish translations or have contacts within any organisation that could help move the campaign forward are asked to contact Pat via email: pat.laing@talk21.com
