Residents of Cho Vito removed by force as bulldozers move in to demolish the coastal village

Janet© · #1 (**permalink**) 07-10-08, 08:44

Oh dear ...

I don't know who's been aware of, or following, the ongoing saga about the demolition of an entire village, Cho Vito, up by Candelaria, but after a reprieve the other day when a court halted the proposed demolition, a higher court yesterday enforced it. Last evening, residents camped in the streets to confront the bulldozers.

Today, however, the Guardia Civil is removing them by force. Since 8am, they've been taking people away from what is now definitely a coastal demolition site, and trying to coax around a dozen people to leave the homes in which they'd barricaded themselves. One or two have been forcibly removed.

I know this village contravenes coastal laws, but it's hardly new ... and this is not just one house or so, it's an entire village. I don't agree with this at all, I really don't. I find it really upsetting.

Canarias24Horas

torrenter · #2 (**permalink**) 07-10-08, 10:36

I think I saw the homes in question when doing my coastal reviews last year. The area is hardly ever going to be a tourist spot, so why the demolition?

I wonder who wants the land? And for what?

Periklês · #3 (**permalink**) 07-10-08, 10:40

I don't know whether to find it upsetting or not, because it depends so much on the real situation which is never published. Are the occupants totally innocent victims of some planning scam (very upsetting) or are they, say, squatters who have insisted building a village despite repeated warnings that what they are doing is totally illegal (not upsetting at all)? How can you form an opinion without sufficient facts?

Janet© · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-08, 13:36

They say they have escrituras, some have mortages ... it is the Dept of Costas in the mainland that is now enforcing this. Call it compulsory purchase for zero money if you like, but they have lost their houses. One comment by a reader on the news article says ...

Quote:

isn't it amazing how these laws are retroactive when there's some hidden interest. For terrorists, murderers, violators, no law is retroactive ... but for these houses, which were "legal" until a little while ago, with taxes paid and everything, there is no solution. I wonder if my mother can benefit from the new law giving 2,500€ for each child ... retroactively of course.

People are genuinely angry about this.

The first house was pulled down at 9am this morning after forced evacuations. By midday, four houses had been demolished. The rest will all be down, it is said, by the end of tomorrow.

Canarias24Horas

pelinor · #5 (**permalink**) 07-10-08, 23:21

I found this very upsetting, my wife vented her spleen at the TV in typical Spanish style. I just do not understand it. There is no way is island the going to benefit from this reclaimed 'free land' people have lived there for over 45 years. And the eviction process has been going on for 12 years.
There is a giant half built building on the coast just outside Santa Cruz. It was built illegally over 30 years ago.......and still it stands?
How long will it take for the 20 odd hotels recently made illegal in Lanzarotte to be bulldozed? some time never me thinks.
Spain is a hard unforgiving country to it's own people in some aspects.

First Lady Supertonic · #6 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 07:21

This is upsetting news, what will become of the residents? Is there any news on them?

delderek · #7 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 09:05

But I note the small house/shack is still not demolished on the Los Cris harbour beach.

Janet© · #8 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 09:17

Cho Vito was "an example". The legal destruction of an entire village is always going to make news.

Don't know what will happen to them, Flo, but they will have known it was coming ... it's been rumbling on for over a decade now. What I'd like to know is what happens to those who have mortgages? Why the hell should they now make the payments ... though why should the banks stand the loss too, of course?

The biggest disgrace is that the authorities did nothing. The local mayor is under enormous pressure of criticism for basically turning a blind eye to their distress, and the Canarian Government is under an avalanche of abuse for its response, which is basically "what does it have to do with the Canarian Government?" !!

First Lady Supertonic · #9 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 09:20

I find it hard to believe that people can be treated so poorly in this day and age.

Janet© · #10 (**permalink**) 08-10-08, 09:29

Like Pelinor says, the Spanish are really hard on their own people sometimes ...

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