Reports are emerging from Spain that the Ley de Costas – coastal law – which nationalised the Spanish coastline in 1988 in an attempt to stop it being over developed, is going to be debated at government level.

The original legislation meant thousands of holiday homes were threatened with demolition and their owners potentially left without any compensation.

But it was recently announced that the Coalición Canaria, which represents The Canaries, has gathered support from other political parties to discuss how to make the Ley de Costas fairer to all those affected.

When the legislation was first tabled it was criticised for not being thought through properly as it did little to help the environment.

Plus many overseas property investors were not made aware of the potential risks when they bought homes on the coast.

Although the Ley de Costas debate brings some hope for UK property investors who are in danger of losing their coastal holiday homes, others are now facing new threat in Spain.

In Andalusia a new law is being introduced that will allow local councils to demolish properties at short notice if they do not have a legitimate building licence.

The reason for the move is an attempt to deal with a series of property scandals that have hit the region.

But it is feared that it could penalise overseas investors who bought holiday homes in good faith having been shown forged or false planning permissions and building licences by corrupt property developers, lawyers and local council officials.

• Police are attempting to track down a man who has allegedly conned hundreds of thousands of pounds from people booking overseas holiday homes over the internet.

Sussex Police say they want to speak to 38-year-old Carlo Bulley, from Brighton who it is believed placed adverts on genuine websites only for the customers to arrive in France, Spain and Portugal to find that the holiday homes they booked don’t exist.

The victims paid by bank transfer into accounts in the names of C Bulley or J Kettunen.

Detective Constable Tracey Dixon, from Brighton CID, said in an interview with the media: “There are many people that have been duped by Bulley and we are anxious to find him as soon as possible so these cruel crimes can be stopped.

“Many of the victims have families with young children who have been left stranded in Europe at the height of the summer season.

“It’s caused considerable stress and upset as they try to find alternative accommodation or get back home.”

And it appears Sussex police officers are not the only ones who would like to talk to Bulley. The Metropolitan Police want to interview Bulley over money laundering and fraud offences and he is currently on bail with Essex Police.

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