The latest step, which involves obtaining the town planning permit and building permit for the renovation and operation of the Berengaria Hotel, is eagerly anticipated by investors following the decision of the Environmental Authority to give the long-awaited green light on 27/3/2024.
According to the architects of the proposed project, construction works will begin upon the issuance of all necessary permits and will last approximately three years, with an estimated construction cost of €40 million.
The Environmental Authority does not object to the construction of the project under the terms and conditions specified in the reasoned decision issued.
The proposed project is located in a mountainous area and borders the boundaries of the Troodos National Forest Park, which is also part of the Natura 2000 area.
It should be noted that the Environmental Department has decided that an Environmental Impact Assessment Study is not required.
The reasons for this decision relate to the characteristics of the project.
Specifically, careful planning of the project was undertaken with the aim of cutting down as few black pine trees as possible.
The placement of the buildings was largely done in already disturbed areas of the plot.
Specifically, the two apartment buildings were situated in the area of the former tennis courts, where there is no dense forest area.
The 22 residential units are mostly located within the already disturbed parts of the plot (area near the Forestry College road) where existing buildings are present, while some houses are located within the undisturbed area of the plot, adjacent to the existing internal road network.
Further efforts were also made to relocate some houses and/or reduce the area and number of parking spaces to further minimise impacts on the flora and reduce the number of black pine trees to be removed.
Within the proposed plot allocation of the project, there was an existing preserved hotel and a café-restaurant.
The said hotel will not be demolished but its exterior will be repaired, additions will be made, and it will be expanded. The two existing buildings will be demolished.
In the broader area of the development site, mainly residential and mixed uses (commercial use and dining spaces mainly for summer months, a park, a camping site, and the Forestry College) are identified.
The proposed project involves the demolition of two existing buildings, the vertical division of land into three plots and road construction, mixed tourism development, maintenance, restoration, additions and expansion of the existing preserved hotel (Berengaria), residential development (two apartment buildings, six apartments, and eight studios), and unified residential development (22 houses), owned by Limadino Ltd, in the community of Prodromos in the Limassol province.
The proposed division of the plot into three plots is suggested.
In plot 502/A with an area of 8,378.00 sq.m., the existing preserved Berengaria hotel is located, where maintenance, restoration, additions, and expansion of the existing hotel will take place. For the maintenance/restoration, additions, and expansion of the existing preserved hotel, a Town Planning Permit was granted on 28/02/2020.
The proposed hotel unit will consist of 32 rooms, 12 condo units, a ground floor and basement pool, a basement spa, a restaurant, and auxiliary uses.
For the preserved building related to the hotel unit, restoration of the masonry and roof, new internal wall structures/false ceilings made of dry construction, and additions to the existing shell made of steel construction and glass will be carried out.
As for the additions to the basement (spa), reinforced concrete, external walling made of hollow bricks, and thermal insulation/rendering will be used.
In plot 502/B with an area of 2,935.00 sq.m., two apartment buildings and parking spaces are proposed. It consists of one apartment building with six one-bedroom apartments and one apartment building with eight studio apartments.
In plot 502/C with an area of 10,375.07 sq.m., unified residential development is proposed. The following houses will be constructed: 13 two-bedroom houses, five three-bedroom houses, and four four-bedroom houses.
Overall, it will involve the construction of 22 houses, vehicle parking spaces, a bicycle station, and a ski equipment storage area.
Implementation of the project in five stages
The project involves five stages, each constituting separate town planning applications:
-Vertical land division into three plots and road construction, provision of green space, communal equipment, and public road.
-Demolition of two existing buildings. For this specific action, written approval was obtained from the Conservation Branch of the Town Planning Authority as part of an official preliminary inquiry.
-Mixed tourism development, maintenance, restoration, additions, and expansion of the existing preserved hotel.
-Residential development (two apartment buildings with six apartments and eight studios).
-Unified residential development (22 houses).
