Filenews 10 September 2021 - byAngelos Nikolaou
A platform, a stage, lighting, speakers, tables, chairs and other structures have sprung up illegally in recent days within the protection zone of the beach, even occupying part of the coastal pedestrian street, within the administrative boundaries of the community of Pyrgos in the Limassol district. Relevant complaints were raised yesterday before the District Administration of Limassol and were investigated by a guard of the beach. Subsequently, the illegalities were confirmed and as it became clear the platform and the rest of the facilities were set up in the context of events of an adjacent hotel unit. The Department of Environment was informed about the illegality about its own actions, the Police and the local authority.
With a notification served by hand to the management of the unit, the Limassol District Administration calls for compliance under the Protection of the Beach Law. In particular, all facilities that have been placed within the protection zone of the beach should be immediately removed. In case of non-compliance, the Limassol District Administration warns by taking legal action. A new inspection is expected today to see whether steps have been taken to remove the illegalities.
It is noted that according to the current legislation, for the installation of a platform or other objects on the beach by a private enterprise, a permit must first be obtained from the District Administration. Such a request was never forwarded and no competent authority was informed.
It is emphasized that the legislation allows the District Administration to proceed with the removal of all structures that were placed illegally on the beach. These items are kept safe and returned to their holder, after the institution that placed them illegally has paid all the costs for their removal and safe keeping.
In the event that after a 48-hour deadline provided to the holder with written notice, the holder is not interested in their recovery, the items are sold off and the amount of the sale is deposited in the fund of the District Administration. It should be noted that the use of the protection zone of the beach is made only for the purposes of providing services, which aim to serve the public interest.
For the construction or installation of premises on the beach, approval must be granted by the Council of Ministers, based on the satisfaction of the public interest.
In the same area, apart from the platform, within the protection zone of the beach have been placed piles of cut grass from the hotel's gardens and piles of stones, which prevent unhindered access along the coastline.
It is noted that the Department of Environment, in a letter to the Department of Town Planning and Housing, dated 18/8/2017, states that several of the hotel's facilities, which include part of a swimming pool, as well as wooden and metal shelters, were erected without the required permits, on state gravel land and within the protection zone of the beach. It is also emphasized that the coastal plot of state gravel land falls under a Planning Zone of Protection Da3.
