Owners welcome measures but say they still fall short of what's needed

"We are very happy for those who will now be able to access basic services," said SOHA president Phillip Smalley, "but we still have a fight on our hands."

This was echoed by Mario Blancke, Alcaucín councillor for Planning: "This isn't a gift. This isn't legalisation."

Juan Antonio Blanco, owner of an illegal home in Mijas said: "Around 10 per cent of us have court orders against us and while that's the case, we can't get the AFO designation."

In Marbella, meanwhile, the around 18,000 homes constructed illegally during the GIL era will not be eligible as these are already included on the Land Registry and benefit from basic services.