Expats march in protest of demolitions

Expatriate protesters took to the streets of Malaga on Friday to march against the Spanish government's plans to demolish holidays homes built illegally in Andalucia, a report said.

The regional authority this week passed legislation so properties without proper planning permission can be knocked down with one month's notice.

Hundreds of expats marched in the rally, the Daily Mail reported, after a number of holiday properties in southern Andalucia were served demolition orders.

Up to 100,000 properties could be affected by the legislation, many of which are owned by expats, the paper said.

Expatriate pressure group Soha, led by Phil Smalley, organised the march. Mr Smalley told the paper that his legally obtained planning permission had been annulled by the courts. Soha is campaigning for compensation for expats who have had their homes demolished.

It is thought that the regional assembly is aiming to retract planning permission granted illegally by "formerly corrupt councils", the Daily Mail said.