VIDEO: British couple see dream Spanish home destroyed after it was illegally built

A RETIRED British couple were left fuming after their dream Ј169,000 home in Spain was destroyed because it had been illegally built by a rogue developerPensioners John and Jan Brooks said they had no words to describe how angry they felt after bulldozers tore down their hilltop villa on Monday.

The couple moved into the property in 2005 and had envisioned spending half the year in the three-bed house which had a huge pool and stunning views.

But less than a year after moving in police turned up with a demolition notice saying the house was built without planning permission..

The devastated couple, who have six children and six grandchildren, had to move back to the UK and following a seven year legal battle the place was destroyed.

Mr Brooks, a 73-year-old retired sales manager, said: "It was beautiful and all that remains now is a dust-filled swimming pool.

"It was our pension and a place where in happy times we enjoyed great times with our family.

"We feel so angry about what has happened. Now it is has been torn from the ground. Even the rubble has gone.

"There are no words to adequately describe our anger at the greedy, selfish, corrupt creatures who caused this situation."

The house was one of four illegally built on the restricted land in the Sierra de los Filabres built by unsuspecting British expats.

The property was built by rogue developer  Francisco Pedrosa who was handed a five month suspended jail term last year.

He was ordered to demolish the homes and give the expats he duped full compensation.

The heartbreaking moment the bulldozers demolished the house was filmed by a neighbour who sent the footage to the couple now living in Somerset.

However the Brooks fear they have no chance of getting their money back since Pedrosa has declared himself bankrupt.

Mr Brooks said he and his 73-year-old wife have no intention of ever setting foot in Spain again after their heart-breaking experience.

He said: "We have no intention of ever setting foot in Spain again.

"Why should we spend money in Spain and give them the pleasure of having any more of my money? Never again."

Campaigners estimate that corrupt developers have illegally built 300,000 properties during a ten-year housing boom in Spain.

express