I know what you mean Nigel. I tried to warn a couple a few years back. They were about to buy land but had only given their deposit but could have pulled out and saved some of their money. I knew I wouldn't get anywhere but at least I tried. They were a really nice couple and I didn't want to see then swindled. Only a week after they bought the land I bumped into them and they were very upset. They had found out that a wind turbine was going to be placed right in the middle of it. They were trying to get legal advice but basically they had just wasted their life savings. Even without the turbine they would not have been able to live on the land, not even in a wooden cabin as they seemed to think. If you are even contemplating buying rural land in Catalunya or other parts of Spain please, please do all you can to check out your facts. Don't just blindly believe what you are told by the people who will profit from the sale. Check with the local government offices before you even consider handing over a deposit.

Remember other parts of Spain could also end up with similar restrictions so please double check your facts. The law can change.

If their are any so called Estate Agents currently misleading people ( and I don't include you all in this, there are some reputable ones then please be aware that the net is closing in on you. It will only be a matter of time before a 'customer' tapes your conversations with them and passes them on to the authorities. You are not immune from prosecution, your assets could be seized and you could end up learning the language better than you ever thought you could, with free daily instruction inside the largest hotel in Tarragona ( clink, clink, and that is not ice in your drink )