Hey Pete, have a looksee at this
http://www.propertywire.com/news/europe/spanish-authorities-illegal-properties-a...

Hi Pete,

There are always a lot of hear-saying stories going around. Most of the time only about half true. If you want to know what you may legaly build on your land go to the ayunament, they can explain the rules for your situation.

Good luck,
Mark

More info here

http://www.barcelonareporter.com/index.php?/news/comments/on_many_occasions_demo...

That's absolutely, exactly what they said. Everyone of any nationality and in any kind of house with any kind of listing on the cadastro cannot live legally outside the urban areas. I know it seems amazing, nonsensical and impossible to apply but that's the line. It would be great if anyone with decent Catalan could follow this with their adjuntament or mayor and report back.

Are we taking about living ' full time ' or just for holidays and Spanish breaks.How do they define 'live' as apposed to 'staying'

My understanding is that building matters have been centralized. The adjuntaments have lost their power to issue permission for any new builds/ reforms/ extensions etc. etc. In this area Tarragona have taken responsibility. The issue of services, ie. electricity/water is only one reason for this. There has been a huge amount of corruption within Spain as a whole, at a local level in relation to building and development and by overseeing matters more centrally it is obviously hoped that this will now cease.
Unfortunately many people, British amongst them, were caught up in this. They asked the adjuntament for permission to build or extend in the campo in in some cases permission was given and paperwork signed to that effect. Then the rules changed and Tarragona  or wherever stepped in, saying that the permissions given were invalid and the buildings must come down or revert to what they previously were. In some cases people have faced criminal charges, in others civil.
Don't even think about building anything in the campo unless you are absolutely sure that the correct permission has been given, verified by a good solicitor. If you are given permission for an 'almacen' then remember, that is what you have been given permission for, ie. an agricultural building to store farm equipment, not a dwelling.
We may not agree with these rules, but this is the situation and until such time as the rules change( by being challenged in court) we will have to accept them. This is just my personal impression of the situation.

If it's of any interest, I applied for permission to build an Almacen about a month ago with my local Ajudement (Godall).  The architectural/technical guy came out to have a look at what I proposing.  He asked if it was necessary for it to be so close to the house (2m) and I said it was as I wanted to store logs and rotovator and stuff.  He said OK and filled in the form for me with his signature of approval on it.  I just need to fill in my own details and hand it in for signature by the mayor I think.
He specified that it must be 25sqm or less, built with concrete blocks and have a corrugated sheet roof.  Apparently anything over 25sqm becomes a "project" as opposed to "minor works".  So it looks like it may be the luck of the draw (a post code lottery so to speak).
On the question of existing rural dwellings being illegal, I'd imagine that would become a "human rights" issue but I wouldn't fancy having the expense of defending a case ?
For what it's worth,
Bigyin