Keys to housing law that seeks to increase promotions and speed up procedures

On Thursday, the Basque Parliament adopted an initiative of the PNV and the PSE-EE with urgent measures in the field of housing, aimed at the mobilization of land and the proliferation of promotions, the main keys of which are:

1 – Less protected housing

The main innovation of this regulation is that the demand for protected housing in new promotions will fall. Until now, 75% was required, but municipalities will henceforth be allowed to reduce it to 60%. 

2 – Speed up processing

The text contains formulas for reducing the time limits for the approval and implementation of licences and permits for projects.

The possibility of declaring preferential action is also accepted, and an urgent procedure may be used to halve administrative deadlines and speed up construction.

It also establishes positive administrative silence, so that if no response is received in time, the project can proceed.

3 – Strategic soil reserve

The aim of the measure is to enable the automated and recurring transfer of land to the Basque Government in order to plan and develop a protected rental housing park, providing for the transfer of 15% to the administrations, of which 5% will be for the Government.

On the other hand, municipalities may increase their building capacity by up to 10 per cent without the need to modify urban planning plans.

4 – Addition of plants

Provision will be made for the establishment of new dotational accommodation in existing flat roof buildings, allowing the construction of two additional floors, which will allow for an additional 2,000 dwellings.

5 – Tourist flats

The rule prohibits the installation of new tourist flats in tense areas. Owners who violate the rule may be fined up to 20,000 euros.