A total of seven illegal buildings in Bulgaria's ancient coastal town of Nessebar have already been torn down, Regional Minister, Rosen Plevneliev reports.

Plevneliev spoke Saturday in an interview for Darik radio, saying another 30 acts to dismantle illegal establishments in the town are pending.

The Minister pointed out the State's obligation is to create the frame of the law while the Mayors are those who must apply it locally.

Regarding Nessebar, the rules there are flawed because someone allowed construction just meters away from historical sites, Plevneliev said, adding it was not true all residents want their town taken out of UNSECO's world cultural heritage list with the Mayor already revising his position on the matter.

The Minister informed a total of 1 600 illegal buildings will be demolished in the very near future with 300 orders already issued. He advised owners to voluntarily destruct these properties because it would be cheaper for them and they can reuse the materials.

Plevneliev accused those who deliberately live in illegal housing in order to evade taxes of making petty crime thrive in Bulgaria.

The Minister declared that all illegal construction would eventually come down and penalties for those who allowed it will go up to become very steep, giving as example dismissals and fines of BGN 30 000 for chief architects.