The Bishropic of Constantia and Ammochostos has persistently continued, up until yesterday, the illegal conduct of construction works with the tolerance of the Municipality of Ayia Napa as the competent urban planning authority.
Following complaints from the Department of Environment and the Game and Fauna Service, instructions were given for a notice of enforcement to be issued by the district officer of the Ammochostos Planning Department for the immediate cessation of any building and construction works.
It is noted that the Bishropic has already submitted an application for securing a planning permit by deviation for a monastery on 20/3/2024.
Following a publication in Phileleftheros bring the matter into attention last Saturday, an informational sign was placed at the site of the illegal construction works, which states:
“Republic of Cyprus – Regulations on Urban Planning and Development Exceptions of 1999 – Notification according to Regulation 12(1):
According to Regulation 12(1) of the Regulations on Urban Planning and Development Exceptions, it is hereby announced that the Bishropic of Constantia and Ammochostos intends to submit an application to the Planning and Housing Department of the Ammochostos district for the issuance of a planning permit by deviation from the provisions of the Ayia Napa Policy Statement for the following development: Monastery of Saint Ephraim and Saint Catherine.
The application concerns the plot with number 385, F./Plan 0/2-295-372, in the area of the Ayia Napa Municipality.
The plot is located near Cape Greco Avenue.
The deviation for which the application is submitted concerns construction outside the development boundary.
Further information can be obtained from the offices of the Planning Authority during working hours and days. Written representations can be submitted to the Planning Authority within one month from the publication of this notification.”
Therefore, even after the announcement that an application for a planning permit by deviation is to be submitted, the illegal conduct of construction works continues within the protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network – Special Conservation Area (SCA) of Cape Greco and Special Protection Zone (SPZ) of Cape Greco, in an enclosed plot within the State Forest of Ayia Napa and the National Forest Park (NFP) of Cape Greco.
