Filenews 6 February 2021
After a meeting of the Nicosia City Council, which examined the issue that arose, following the demolition of the 3 preserved by the Archdiocese, with 17 in favour and 9 against, the proposal was approved, on the basis of which the construction of the cathedral in old Nicosia will continue and at the same time the reconstruction of the three preserved ones that were demolished will begin.
As the Municipality of Nicosia states in a statement: "The unanimous and clear wish of the entire Municipal Council was the immediate restoration of the listed buildings.
Two proposals were put before the City Council, which were discussed in detail.
The majority decided to support the proposal of the Municipality Service, which is very strict and clear about the obligations of the Archdiocese and the impact it will have, in case of non-compliance, and with full reservation of the rights of the Municipality.
The Office's view of the formation and dispatch of an immediate appropriate enforcement notice to the Archdiocese (based on Articles 46,48 and 57(2) of the Planning and Spatial Planning Act), with strict terms and conditions, was considered to be the most advantageous and effective action, instead of revoking or suspending the permit and/or recourse to the Courts, as it would act immediately and without any delay. In other words, the actions agreed to be necessary have been legally linked, with specific timetables and, in the event of non-compliance, administrative penalty procedures will be activated.
It is also noted that the decision of the Municipal Council also includes provision for supervision of the restoration of listed buildings by a person with the appropriate qualifications and common acceptance, with experience in conservation. This role was proposed to Mrs. Athena Aristotle, former Director of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing.
Finally, on the basis of the decision of the Municipal Council, the Archdiocese will provide the Municipality with an immediate guarantee in case any delay occurs on the part of the Archdiocese".
On the other hand, the Municipal Councillors of ACPL and the Municipal Councillor of the Ecologists have proposed that the agreement be sealed before a Court so that either side cannot derogate from its terms. At the same time, it was considered that the guarantee of €500,000 was not enough, or since only for maintenance of the preserved was foreseen a budget of €600,000, which after the collapse at least had to be doubled in order for the Municipality to be covered.
It is recalled that earlier, ace up the sleeve was pulled by the president of the DISY, committing Archbishop Chrysostomos to deposit a guarantee of €500,000, which will be seized if the reconstruction process of the three listed buildings, which were demolished last Monday under the instructions of Makariotatos, does not proceed.
In fact, the Archbishop signed, according to information from "F", a document binding on him and by which he accepts an agreement reached by the financial director of the Archdiocese and the Municipality of Nicosia. The agreement will be put before the City Council for approval.
Averof Neophytou's "MAT movement" not only brought to a dilemma municipal councillors who were wavering about what they would vote for today, but also considered to have raised the scale in favour of continuing work to complete the cathedral since whether or not the preserved buildings will be rebuilt is answered by the Archbishop's guarantee.
It is noted that the archdiocese's side suggested that the Municipality undertake the reconstruction itself, with the Archdiocese covering the costs, but the Municipality did not accept.
The agreement adopted shall record the following:
-With regard to the reinstatement of the preserved, an enforcement notice will be served setting the timetables and, in the event of non-compliance, the procedures for imposing an administrative fine will be triggered.
-Construction work will be examined accordingly and what will result from the studies and is estimated to take one and a half to two months.
-The Archdiocese proposed to take over the municipality the restoration of the preserved and the archdiocese to bear the cost.
-The Archdiocese expressed readiness to pay the Municipality a guarantee of €400,000-€500,000 so that if the restoration does not proceed the Municipality can use this amount.
The Municipality clarified that in addition to the enforcement notice it has in its arsenal, it also has the choice of the lifting of permits as well as the appeal to the court for the issuance of a work stop order.
-It was proposed to take over as coordinator a person of common acceptance, namely the former director of the Department of Urban Planning who served for many years in the field of conservation.
-The aim of the Municipality is to rebuild the listed buildings with clear timetables for the completion of the project.
-The stages between a scholar of the cathedral and a representative of the Municipality were agreed and the time required for each stage of implementation was examined.
-In particular, preparation of a risk removal study and preparation of a safety plan within 15 days.
-Cleaning of rubble and support of structures that will remain within 15 days.
-Static/architecture studies, etc. within one month.
Podemos said an agreement should be signed on the guarantee.
