New Initiative Provides All the Benefits of Owning a Spanish Farm Without the Hard Work

(PRWEB) July 6, 2006

A new scheme in Salinas, Alicante at last allows property buyers to buy a small piece of agricultural land, rather than the minimum 10, 000 sqm required elsewhere in Spain. Not only that, but they will also provide help with growing small-scale crops on the land.

Current Spanish legislation to protect the future of the countryside has in the past left some prospective buyers mystified. To build on agricultural land, property must conform to 10, 000 sqm plot sizes. This amount of land can be a daunting prospect unless you are a farmer, but initiatives in Salinas have provided a solution that may set a trend for other villages in Spain.

•One inland Spanish village in particular, Salinas (Costa Blanca) have made it compulsory to purchase property with agriculture land.

•Land can be used to grow produce which can then be sold back to local farmers either for cash or goods (a year’s supply of olive oil, almonds or wine.)

•The local agriculture man (Emilio) is responsible for taking care of the land and collecting the produce. For many land owners this is an excellent prospect and means their investment is taken care of but they can tend to the land themselves if they prefer.

One Oxfordshire couple have taken advantage of the scheme by purchasing a 3 bedroom, 2 bathroom detached villa in Salinas on a plot of almond groves for 450,000 €.

Shona (42) and Roy (49) plan to take early retirement in 6-10 years time. The plot will be tended to so they wont have to worry about maintaining it as they get older.

The couple both have high pressured jobs as police officers, so the slower pace of life was extremely attractive. Shona said: "We like the rural, relaxed, traditional Spanish lifestyle that you don't get from the coastal areas. It also makes us speak Spanish more as there are very few locals that speak English."

The buying process was even more relaxed. Roy said: “The whole process was fairly easy as we used a local Spanish solicitor and we already have a Spanish bank account.” The couple firmly believe a professional estate agency with a good aftersales department is a must. Their advice to potential buyers is to always: “use Spanish expertise such as local solicitors and banks and do your research before you commit to buying a property.”

So what are the benefits of the scheme?: -

•Land owners are provided with a small, regular income or provided with a years fresh produce from their land.

•Views are protected by large plots of land around the villages. The plots are not left baron and cultivated land retains the beauty of Spain.

•Local people are provided with work and home grown produce keeps communities thriving.

•Small scale agricultural land is good for the eco system and the environment.

•By complying with this new initiative buyers of inland property are doing something good for Spain and are continuing an ongoing investment in their local village.

With many holidays in Spain to look forward to, Shona and Roy have already started adding home improvements. Roy said: "we have added some extra features such as underfloor heating and turned the garage into a kitchen/family room."

Would they do it all over again? “Yes” beams Shona proudly.

# # #