We are thinking about creating some raised flower beds and planting oleanders, conifers, etc. to hide a neighbour's unsightly extension (built whilst we were back in UK). Does anyone know where we can find out
- How close we can build to the boundary?
- What materials we can use - stone or rendered breeze block?
- What height we can build to?
Or is it a case of 'do what you want but if your neighbour complains we'll make you remove it?'
We live on an urbanisation rather than in the town or in the campo. Any advice greatly appreciated. Thank you.

I suspect that the answers to your questions will vary according to where people live. On this sort of thing there never appears to be one firm rule covering the whole of Spain. So I would suggest that you ask around your local area or go to your town hall and make enquiries.

Do you know whether your neighbour got the necessary licences for his building?

Rosemary

Good question, from what I have seen many Spanish ppl don't bother and usually seem to get away with it.
On the other hand to remain legal I think the necessary licences would need to be applied for just to build a wall and maybe an architects plans and fees would be required also ?
Possibly quick growing conifers might be the simplest, cheapest and most trouble free solution.

Some neighbours built a wall right next to the garden boundary of my inlaws' house. It was completely illegal and they went to the council to complain, but nothing came of it.

Thanks everyone ... unfortunately, as our property is on a mountainside, there is no soil in which to grow anything unless you build a bed and fill it up with soil first (so we would obviously be having quite a substantial bed constructed)
! We realise we will probably have to obtain licences and prepare plans etc., and will try checking at the Town Hall when we are out again. I just thought it might be in the UK where covenants regarding building are often listed in the deeds?

You may get advice from the developer of your urbanisation or the solicitor who arranged your purchase.

There are rules and just like in the UK the planning guidelines vary depending on where you live. In Ciudad Quesada one is not permitted to build within one metre of the boundary. Just like UK people break the rules and some councils are better than others at enforcing these rules.

Unlike in the UK there is no permitted development in Spain, any alteration / extension to your property will require planning approval.

Problem is many councils just don't have the money to take every planning infringement to court, and the developers know it.

As it is an urb, do you need to ask the commitee?

Only those who have communal property e.g. an apartment or where there is a communal pool will have a residents committee. I doubt this is the case for the OP?

Absolutely right - we don't have a resident's committee, but will approach the developer when we are out next week to see what they have to say... Thank you everyone for taking the time to share your thoughts and point us in the right direction