Planning officials inspecting 52 old Palma buildings in “ruin”

Palma council's planning department is to inspect over 50 buildings in the capital which are due to be knocked down, but are still standing. This week's collapse of an abandoned property in Palma, caused by the combination of heavy rain and poor structure, has set alarm bells ringing in city hall. Apparently there are 52 properties which have been given planning permission to be demolished, but none of the owners have applied for permission to start immediate demolition. The council is concerned that some of the properties could be in a seriously poor and potentially dangerous condition. In accordance with the city's planning laws, old buildings are in a state of “ruin” where the costs of renovation exceed 50 per cent of the value of the property.