Mass urbanisations and high-rises are becoming less popular as buyers search for environmentally conscious homes.

The maturing of the Spanish real estate market and movements made away from mass urbanisation and high-rise property development may well be impacting negatively on the rate at which such formerly constructed accommodation is being sold, but in direct parallel it is having a positive effect on the quality of homes being constructed for the lifestyle market.

The Spanish property development frenzy of the last decade that resulted in massive resort-style developments being constructed for those who wanted an accessible holiday apartment in the sun, or an affordable fly-to-let investment purchase, are proving less popular these days as other property markets open up and offer a more affordable choice buyers.

Meanwhile, the evergreen and enduring appeal of Spain as a stunning, tried and tested lifestyle destination for retirees, relocating expatriates and those in search of the good life means there is now an emerging trend in those wanting to buy quality Spanish property.

There has been a sharp and direct increase in consumer demand for homes in Spain constructed in an environmentally conscious way, for property for sale away from resort developments and for properties that allow buyers to truly realise their dream of living an idyllic lifestyle in a fantastic overseas destination where the natural landscape, fabulous climate and excellent quality of life that they are buying into are enhanced by a spacious, well-constructed home, located in an appealing destination.

This in turn has led to new areas of Spain becoming popular with those who want to buy into unspoiled regions where local government laws and policies have protected the natural landscape.

One such area of Spain especially popular with buyers seeking the good life is Murcia. Planning laws define different zones in order to protect the pine forested mountain ranges and the vast majority of areas around them.

If developers are looking to build urbanisations there is an abundance of land which is designated for this purpose. This land is typically near to towns, cities and motorways.

As you head towards the stunning national parks the zoning changes to extremely low density so you can only build one property per five acres of land. The idea behind this intelligent approach to planning is to avoid the mistakes made in other parts of Spain, maintain the natural appeal of the region, and preserve the beauty and attraction of Murcia for generations to come.

Mike Hamilton, managing director of local real estate agency Casas de Lorca comments: "Many developers are missing the very real point that increasingly consumers require environmentally-conscious homes with such things as solar power, eco-friendly water conservation methods and where the environment into which they are moving will remain unchanged and unspoiled.

"They want spacious properties with large gardens, they want these properties to be built in areas of outstanding natural beauty and they are not willing to compromise.

"For the developer astute enough to recognise this demand and sympathetic and intelligent enough to embrace government policies rather than try to avoid them, there is great opportunity to be had in terms of constructing fabulous real estate in an ethical manner that is hugely sought after.”

Some properties in the region come with a five-acre plot of land, allowing purchasers to become virtually self-sufficient if they want to. Additionally they have almond trees or vineyards which reduce CO2 and also enhance the natural habitat for flora and fauna. Solar energy hot water is becoming increasing popular, as is solar pool heating.

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