Hi Mick,
Taking advise from a solicitor can often prove to be a very black and white experience. If you want clinical advise then it would be Run a mile from buying off plan in Spain. Any solicitor worth his metal would advise this. It's the safe out!
Sometimes you have to use gut feeling. I bet, if you asked a solicitor 10 years ago, to advise you on the benefits of selling off everything and putting all your eggs in the property basket, he would most likely have told you to Run a mile from buying property as a sole investment. It's safe advise, however it isn't always the right advise!
When I spoke to solicitors prior to my decision to purchase, I was told that this developer simply will not deliver on time. When I enquired as to other reasons why I shouldn't proceed to be honest they were thin on the ground. I know that when the time comes to pay the remaining sums owed, many purchasers will run into problems with regard to licences. If everything is not in order at this point, the banks simply will not give you a mortgage. If on the other hand, you have sold your home and intend to reside in Spain full time, you may feel obliged to move into a property that is technically illegal.
My solicitor is in the process of attaining copies of permissions granted to date. He will send copies to me, as and when he receives them. I in turn will inform you, as and when this happens. I don't expect to see a full list of permissions granted, as this is not the way the Spanish do business. Instead, I expect to see permission for the link road now being built and for certain other forthcoming ground works. He tells me that this road is almost in place and that palm trees are being planted along it's length.
My wife Terry and I, go to Spain on the 2nd Dec for a month. Whilst we are there we shall extract as much info as possible about the development and pass it on when we return.
So you see Mick, it's a little like gambling. Only bet what you can afford to loose!