Cabanisation in Vias, a neighborhood in Hérault, has led to over 1,700 homes on unsuitable land, with 200 residents facing legal challenges due to urban planning violations. Myriam, a retiree, fears losing her mobile home amid rising scrutiny from authorities. Despite the establishment of a planning police force, enforcement has been ineffective, highlighting the municipality’s past tolerance of illegal constructions. Local leaders acknowledge their complicity in fostering this situation, complicating the residents’ fight for legitimacy.
Understanding the Cabanisation Phenomenon in Vias
The West Coast in question is not part of the United States, but instead, it is a tough reality found within a neighborhood of Vias, located in the southern region of Hérault. This area has become a hotspot for caravan and mobile home setups on land deemed unsuitable for construction. This situation, known officially as ‘cabanisation’, has been growing, prompting local authorities to take action, albeit with limited success.
Residents’ Struggles and Legal Challenges
On the day of her retirement six years ago, Myriam invested her life savings of 100,000 euros into what she refers to as her ‘little paradise’, intending to enjoy her golden years there. Her setup includes a caravan, a mobile home, and an additional annex for a larger kitchen space. The community collaborates on water supply, having drilled their own well, providing them with access to water for just 90 euros annually. With a monthly pension of 1,500 euros, she has managed to make her 800 m² plot livable—only a stone’s throw from the beach.
However, recently, Myriam has faced uncertainty regarding her future there. She received alarming news from the local gendarmerie, indicating that her mobile home and permanent structures are in breach of urban planning laws. Myriam speaks of her fear that her happy life could be disrupted, with the possibility of legal action looming over her.
Myriam’s situation is not unique; over 200 residents are currently facing similar legal challenges. Since 1986, this area has been classified as natural land, yet approximately 1,700 homes have sprung up, contributing to a staggering 30,000 illegal installations reported in the Hérault department. In response, the prefecture has ramped up its efforts to combat this cabanisation trend, while residents are banding together to resist, asserting that the state has played a role in creating this dilemma.
The neighborhood is now entangled in a complex legal web, highlighting the ineffectiveness of the authorities. While all cabins are technically illegal, between 300 and 500 residents have managed to establish their homes legally due to the principle of prescription in criminal law. If an illegal structure has existed for over six years without modification, it cannot be ordered for demolition. For these long-term inhabitants, their homes represent more than mere cabins; they see them as a legitimate ‘hamlet’. Reports suggest that there are over a thousand homes that could qualify for this status, though no official numbers are available.
In an effort to address this issue, the local government established an urban planning police force three years ago, consisting of just two agents responsible for monitoring 2,000 affected plots. Historically, Côte Ouest was an agricultural area, but as farmers began selling their land, the phenomenon of cabanisation emerged. What began as seasonal summer residences has evolved into year-round living for many. The two officers are tasked with identifying new constructions and ensuring existing homes are not expanded, often using a camera to document their findings.
The challenge lies in the sheer volume of violations and the protracted nature of the legal processes involved. Last year, the officers only managed to file 19 reports and have stripped four plots since their unit’s inception. Annick, a member of a collective with over 500 supporters, is calling for an immediate halt to inspections by the two agents, pointing out that some mobile homes have municipal approvals that contradict current enforcement actions.
These approvals, some dating back to 2002, allowed residents to drill their own wells, ensuring that each plot had access to water. This raises questions about the municipality’s role in the rise of cabanisation. A report commissioned by the state in 2009 suggests that the municipality of Vias had not only tolerated but may have encouraged this type of land occupation, particularly hoping for economic benefits from tourism. The report places significant responsibility on the local authorities for the current situation.
Michel Saint-Blancat, who served as mayor from 1983 to 2008, acknowledges this reality. He recalls attempts to combat cabanisation during his tenure, only to be met with indifference from the state and judicial system. With 30,000 illegal installations in Hérault as of 2023, only 52 cases have resulted in restorative orders by the courts, highlighting the uphill battle faced by both residents and local authorities.