Viking, thanks for submitting an honest summary of how things stand for rural dwellings - I know some expats who seem to have their heads firmly burried in the sand thinking that the agents rurals will go away, I'll recommend that they read your useful posts and hopefullt they'll take Jellybaby's approach and try and regularise their situation with the town hall.  I sincerely hope Jellybaby sets a precident and gets planning approval for the dwelling.  Best of luck on that one!

Personally I chose to buy a house in Tortosa some years ago having seen some lovely fincas but like you said, I didn't swallow the estate agents Bull s*%t, there were too many unknowns for me and being a foreigner I didn't want to go into battle with any un-neccessary spanish bureaucracy.  Even when you have a legal dwelling, they mannage to put various impediments in your way (especially when you're not there full time to deal with the paperwork) - I have to admit I spend about 2 weeks a year sorting out various bits and pieces to keep all things legal - and I can speak spanish!  I can't imagine what it's like sorting stuff if you don't.