Plans for an 8-10 storey building to be erected on Kinyras Street in the capital has prompted a rift between the Nicosia Municipality and the Ministry of Interior.
This is what Philewews reported on Wednesday, adding that a letter sent by the Ministry will come under review by the municipal council on Thursday.
The Municipality had refused planning permission and one of the main reasons was the fact that the proposed development in the special character area could set a precedent.
And it could risk the overturn of the policy of protecting such areas in the heart of the capital with negative consequences on their character.
The letter from Interior Minister Nicos Nouris to the City Council also said:
“Your decision to refuse to grant the permit is essentially an overstepping of authority and non-compliance with a priority superior administrative body, namely the competent Ministerial Committee which has the responsibility of examining priority appeals.
“I am therefore obliged to exercise the powers conferred on me under Section 30 of the Town and Country Planning Act and to call upon you to refer the application (for the grant of planning permission for development) to the Ministry of the Interior for handling of the matter.
“Accordingly, I request that the administrative file of the application and any other file relating to it, containing all the information relating to the case, be sent immediately to the (Ministry’s) Permanent Secretary.
Some councilors feel that the city has no choice but to forward the file while others strongly believe the body is under no obligation to comply.
