Dossier de la PAC

[Angie]

After 15 long months we have finally received the property deed for our land purchase in Aude, France (completed in Feb 2005).  Because we are sceptics and very aware that we are not familiar with French laws etc. we asked many, many questions of our notaire (some relevant, some not!), estate agents, mairie and anyone else we could find.  We made sure that the SAFER relinquished any rights over the right to buy our 6 acres of previously agricultural land, that all leases taken out (the land was rented for grazing) were terminated in writing, obtained a CU, got permission from the local flying club that they were happy that a house was being built close by and gauged some local knowledge that the villagers were Ok with us building a house on a previously beautiful green site.  We thought we had covered every base, especially as we had paid well over the odds for this beautiful plot.

 

Contained in the package of documents we received over the weekend was a letter from the previous owners of the land informing us that they had been visited by an official representing the EU stating that our newly acquired property is the subject of a Dossier de la PAC and that it is their intention to continue with this into 2006.  The letter (handwritten by the vendor) also states that he did not have any knowledge of this prior to him selling the land to us.  Is this possible? Do you think we have been stitched up?

 

We immediately contacted the Notaire who dealt with our purchase but he will not be in the office again til Thursday.  (I have no reason to assume he knew about this, as he has been excellent to deal with and even refunded a portion of our TVA). 

 

Does anyone know what PAC is, or more importantly, whether it will prevent us from building on our land.  We have designs drawn up and a permit construire application in at the moment - hoping to start beginning of July. 

 

Any advice would be much appreciated.

[Boiling a frog]

PAC is I believe what the French call the european common agricultural policy

[Angie]

We have just received a response from our Notaire.  Apparently a local lady who rents a few acres several hundred yards from our plot of land has been claiming subsidies for many years from the EU as part of their agricultural policy.  Apparently, the previous owner (a very elderly chap who sold it to us) was unaware she was doing this and it only came to light when an application was made for 2006 - she had not realised it had been sold and needed the names of the new owners in order to submit her application.  That's how he found out - she insisted on knowing our names and address.  Cheeky or what!!  Our notaire has fired off a letter warning her to remove any reference to our plots in her submission or face legal action.  Panic over!

 

In any case, according to our notaire, the fact she is claiming subsidies would have had no bearing on our plans to build so hopefully this is the last we shall hear of it.  However, there is always the option we could claim these same subsidies - something to look into perhaps!!

 

Thanks "boiling a frog" for steering us in the right direction.