Britons and foreigners were warned to be careful when buying property in Bulgaria, because it could turn out that they are buying in resorts that were illegally established.

Low prices and a pleasant climate made Bulgaria one of the most popular destinations for British property investors, but the homes bought in the coastal resort of Golden Pearl may end up being demolished, the Daily Mail said.

The resort was built in Strandzha preserve, which provoked the discontent of environmentalists. The World Wide Fund (WWF) asked officials to revoke planning permission because it violated European Union environmental rules.

WWF had informed the European Commission on the case, the Daily Mail said.

The fund said that other similar establishments could “face the bulldozers”. New complexes in Black Sea resorts and Bansko winter resort may turn out to be illegal, the report said.

Property in Bulgaria costs about £40,000 to £50,000. In the UK a house costs as much as £200,000.