The Balearic Port Authorities have notified the current occupants of homes situated on the water's edge in the area known as La Solana, on the north bank of Maó harbour, that their concession period for the properties has now ended and that the land and buildings will revert to the State.
In the same communication they were informed that they should sign the properties over to the State's Public Administration and also advised to remove all belongings and movable fixtures and fittings otherwise these would become the property of the Port Authorities.
The land and buildings affected were originally passed to local fishermen on a concession to provide them with a place from which to carry out their shellfishing activities. Over a period of time the properties were illegally sold or leased to third parties and most became homes.
Efforts by the State to recover the properties at the end of the 80's failed and, following changes in the law in 1992, a provisional solution was adopted under which the then owners were given a further concession of 17 years on the understanding that there was no possibility of extending this at the end of that period.
These temporary concessions ended in February this year and the eleven properties will now once again become public property and be used for port activities.