The construction and operation of a hotel unit in Platres by the co-founder of the American Heart Institute/American Medical Center and director of the Cardiothoracic Surgery Department, Marinos Soteriou, are not expected to have significant, irreversible negative impacts on the Natura 2000 areas.
This is ensured through the implementation of specific mitigation measures according to the Environmental Authority.
The proposed development is located on private plots within the administrative boundaries of the community of Pano Platres, in the Limassol Province.
It involves the construction and operation of a hotel with a capacity of 128 beds and 64 guest cabins, which will be scattered throughout the development area among existing trees. The guest cabins of the proposed development will be wooden, elevated, and placed on stilts.
In addition to the guest accommodation facilities, the hotel will include reception areas, indoor and outdoor restaurant and lounge bar, wellness area (spa), yoga room, indoor swimming pool, multipurpose spaces, areas for mechanical-electrical equipment, and 60 underground parking spaces, including 6 for people with disabilities.
Access to the hotel will be via Aedonion Road, which connects to the main Limassol – Troodos road (B8). The entrance and exit to the proposed project will be directly from Aedonion Road to the parking area.
According to the Environmental Authority, efforts are being made to mitigate the impacts on the Natura 2000 areas [Special Conservation Zone (SCZ) and Special Protection Area (SPA) “Troodos National Forest Park”], through the Special Ecological Assessment Report (SEA) for the construction and operation of the “Tree Hotel” hotel unit by the company “Marinos Soteriou and others” in the community of Pano Platres.
Based on the SEA Report, measures to be implemented during the construction phase include not building six cabins.
It is noted that tree cutting and vegetation removal should take place outside the main breeding season (outside February – July) for birds, and tree cutting and pruning should be carried out according to guidelines provided by the Forestry Department and in their presence to ensure minimal impact on similar trees or vegetation.
Measures to be implemented include provisions for planting local flora species, especially vulnerable plants and trees existing in the area, within the development area.
Mitigation measures also cover external lighting, which is required to be limited to what is absolutely necessary and to avoid diffuse light (using down-lighting systems).
The design of external lighting should be in accordance with the Management Plan of the SPA “Troodos National Forest Park” to minimize impact on the area’s birdlife.
During construction works, new models of machinery and vehicles should be used to limit noise. Furthermore, noisy works should not be carried out after sunset (e.g., earthworks, demolitions).
The report also suggests that earthworks and construction works should be executed in a way that minimally impacts the main breeding season (February – July) of birds.
To reduce noise emissions from building installations, appropriate sound insulation construction materials should be used, and construction works should be strictly limited within the proposed project area.
During construction works, no debris or other materials should be left on the site or on the road verges.
It is noted that the positioning of green spaces towards the boundary of the SCZ and SPA should be planned to minimize development within the protected areas.
Mitigation measures for the operational phase include, among others, prohibiting the use of laser-type lighting, floodlights, or high-power lighting in the project’s outdoor areas.
Loud music or events with increased noise levels are also prohibited in the project’s outdoor areas.
Earthworks will be very limited and will only concern the plot adjacent to the road, within the residential zone, where the main building and parking areas will be located.
Within the remaining area (Hv6 and Z1), earthworks will be minimal since: (a) Cabins will be placed on stilts (b) Services (electricity, water, sewage) will be above ground and covered by wooden paths leading to the cabins, (c) No additional road network will be constructed within the plots.
