Lots of questions from a seriously interested buyer

Can anyone suggest short term rentals that they know of? I only need a “guest apartment” for independence as I’ll be out and about viewing and enjoying the hospitality of the area. 

Suggestions .... https://www.simplyowners.net/villa-rentals-costa-blanca-spain/p/51649/   or  https://www.spain-holiday.com/Pinar-de-Campoverde/holiday-rentals#&searchid=188E12E832B87705CFCCBF520FF8B16617FFC4E1

I have experience from the Costa Del Sol where you can’t extend properties or add pools. What is the council like in approving adding private pool, sun solarium, and extensions either through underbuilds or extensions?  ... Our house had a pool and an extension (before we bought it). We have recently received consent for further extension.

I’m trying to be environmental friendly and want to take advantage of Solar power. Are there any restrictions on adding Solar panels? Are there any EV fast charging points in the area yet?  ... A nearby neighbour of ours has solar panels. When you are viewing houses, think about the sun-arc, pine trees, etc. I have seen EV points just over the Murcia border in San Pedro.

Freesat; Can you still get good reception with the appropriate size dish? If yes, are new installations of dishes allowed?  ... I have a neighbour with freesat.  You need a 1.4m dish minimum. In our case, our fibre internet provider also provides the equivalent of freesat for a small monthly fee (British and others), so no dish needed. 

Google maps says it takes 27 minutes to walk from the bottom to the top of the village and 21 mins from one side to the other. Is that realistic or are they not taking into accounts hills? .... I don't think this is realistic. The village is built on a hill, and it gets hot in Summer.

I have a pedal assisted bike and wondered if it will be OK to use (safe) between Pinar and Pillar?  ... We also have e-bikes. We would not ride on that road, but some brave souls do it !

Long term car parking at Corvera airport. Aena do a yearly contract that I already use at Malaga. I have seen posts on Alicante Airport but does anyone use any other private parking company at Corvera?   ... Until Covid, we used https://www.planeparking.com/   They have options for either/both airports, and offer servicing, ITVs etc. Once travel resumes, we will sign-up again.

Some of the properties I am looking at have private pools. I have seen some say 80 euros per month for pool maintenance, is this a realistic number?   .... Yes, that is what we pay. But you will pay as much again (probably a bit more) in electricity and water costs.

How much do the gardening maintenance companies charge? ... 10-20 Euros/hour

On the Costa Del Sol it is normal to get a tapa included in the price of a drink. Is this common practice there? .... Yes in some places, not all.

Do any of the local golf groups welcome novices who want to learn? ... Yes. I have a neighbour who joined the local pub group (The Rusty Nail), and now he is quite a regular player

Hi Paul

I wouldnt say there are certain roads you have to stay clear of, when we had the heavy Gota fria there was just an awful lot of rain here and it became to much for some old wall etc. which ended up collapsing dues to the pressure. 

The townhall here is very easy to work with, and as long as you keep within the rules you get your permits. The builder we recommend sorts out all licenses need for the work he carries out. If you want a recommendation let me know. 

As far as i know there are no restrictions on solar panels. I havnt seen EV charging points in the area, the closest one i think is Zenia boulevard who has charging point in the underground parking. 

Freesat i still possible though most people chose to have IPTV to get rid of the big dishes. You are allowed to install this, though if the property is part of a community of owners you might not be allowed or there might be certain rules you would have to obey.

There is a Taxi service in Pilar, but im afraid i dont know how much it is from Campoverde to Pilar. 

I walk from my house close to Iceland to the old part in 25 min (just under 2 km)

There is lost of people on bikes on the road from Campoverde to Pilar, and people seem to be very cautious when driving past them. 

Aena offers long term parking directly parking house attached to the terminals in Alicante. I assume they have similar service in Corvera though i cant say for sure as i haven't been there yet. 

A normal size pool is 60-80€ pr month with a profesional pool cleaner. 

Garden maintenance depends on what needs doing, you would need a person to come out and quote for you. Dean who is local is brilliant and very affordable. Let me know if you want his details. 

You don’t normally  get a Tapa with your drink here, though some places do it. 

Most golf societies always welcome new members.  

Best Regards

Kristian Rasmussen

Thanks for the replies. Helpful information that will allow me to narrow down the criteria on properties when I'm viewing.

There is a Guest House in Pinar de Campoverde, centrally placed, very nice!

https://www.facebook.com/VillaElPinar/

Hi

We have a property in campoverde & use Plane Parking whom are also operational from Covera airport.

 Additionally they can move the car from Covera to Alicantie if required for a small fee unless you have dual site status.

As mentioned in reply by someone else Dean is the local gardener & provides an excellent service at very reasonable price also very reliable 

If you want a short term stay in what is called the older part of village is a B&B this will give you walking access to both new & old parts of village

A few of the bars do a golf society along with walking football team & darts team plus numerous quiz’s

The village is very friendly & everyone pulls together if assistance is necessary ie got a fria in the next village

Numerous options regards pool maintenance from €50 upwards

Hope this helps

Russ  

We bought a house and added the pool shortly after moving here. It was straight forward to have done and didn't take long for permission to be granted. If you do need to have a pool built if you post again or message me I can give you more info.

 If you buy a house with pine trees in it you may have to apply for permission to have them cut down if they need to be moved for building works/ pool as you probably already know they are a protected species here. We had to apply for one tree to be removed. They sent someone round who took photos we filled in the reasons why we needed it to be removed. It didn't cost is anything for the application

 We live in the old part. If we go down to the strip in the new part and have a drink we walk back it takes us about 25 mins 

We always get a tapas at certain bars (definitely at Devitos and casa Anna's). I think you'll also find eating out and drinking cheaper than the Costa del Sol

Taxi fares to Pilar are about the price you mentioned. 

We both have e bikes and have gone down to the canal and Pilar in the main road and do find the car drivers on the whole give us plenty of room when overtaking. There's also the ramblas you can cycle down from Pilar to the coast and cycle routes in Pilar.

My husband belongs to the golf society at Portobello s. I believe there's also a golf instructor at the local golf course. 

If you're interested in any other activities there's walking football from Portobellos and a table tennis group in the rooms behind the ayuntamiento in the village plus a walking group

Thankyou to everyone who has been very helpful in your replies.

Just going by the way you have been helpful I think I am right in concentrating on the area.

I have decided that a private pool would not be of benefit to us as it's only going to be a holiday home.

I do like my Tapa with a drink so it's good to hear that some still give them.

As long as this horrible pandemic doesn't stop travel again I will definitely be in the area second week on July.

Regards