Saturday, October 9, 2021

URBAN PLANNING FOR AKAMAS

 Filenews 9 October 2021 - byAngelos Nikolaou



The revision of the provisions of the Akamas Local Plan under consideration is recommended by the Environmental Authority to the Planning Council and the Department of Town Planning and Housing. The position of the Environmental Authority is that although the Local Plan under consideration aims to improve the problematic situation prevailing in relation to the development outside the development limit based on the current Policy Statement, it appears that it needs significant improvement.

The area of the Akamas Local Plan is located at the northwestern tip of the island and includes the administrative boundaries of eight communities of the Pafos District: Kathikas, Pano Arodes, Kato Arodes, Inia, Drousia, Fasli, Androliko and Neo Chorio.

In its opinion, on the  7/10/2021, the Environmental Authority proposes specific conditions aimed at preserving the naturalness of the area outside the development limits of the communities of Akamas, and at the same time at the sustainable development of the area with the aim of its long-term preservation and as a tourist product that will be a long-term attraction for visitors based on its particular natural characteristics.

According to the Environmental Authority, the area of the Akamas Local Plan must benefit from an integrated urban planning by regulating the existing and proposed land uses and urban zones, in order to achieve the socio-economic development of the inhabitants of the area, in a sustainable way, which, among other things, promotes the following:

(a) The preservation of the protection areas that fall under the Natura 2000 Network.

(b) the preservation of the characteristics of the Akamas Peninsula region, both the natural and the man-made environment.

(c) Promoting the compact development of communities, with an effective and well-regulated mosaic of uses within the limits of development and discouraging scattered development outside the existing boundaries of development.

(d) The organization of the activity of the primary sector (agriculture and livestock farming) and similar activities (winemaking and cheese making) in such a way that they can serve the consumption needs of local products in the hospitality infrastructure.

(e) The preservation of the character of the countryside, protecting natural areas, maintaining and highlighting traditional agricultural activities and encouraging limited uses outside the development boundary that are consistent with this model / vision of development.

(f) The promotion of intrusive uses or essential uses of the proper functioning of the local community (recreation, sports facilities, banquet halls, trade, offices, industry / crafts, infrastructure, etc.) in areas where they will not affect the attractive physiognomy of the area.

(g) The grouping of communities with fewer needs of repeated infrastructure (to achieve economies of scale), based on the reform of local government.

The impact on the Natura 2000 Network areas was evaluated individually and cumulatively.

Agricultural Zone (Ca2)

The zone falls under the Natura 2000 Network areas or is in the immediate vicinity. The proposed uses such as environmental information centres, organised car parks and farms that can be visited are expected to result in habitat loss and nuisance.

Particular reference is made to the farm that can be visited, which, as proposed, may include accommodation facilities, retail areas, restaurants, sports facilities, etc. This infrastructure will have the effect of losing habitat and nuisance of species, not only during the day but also during the night. In addition, any facilities will need accompanying infrastructure for water supply, irrigation, sewerage, electricity, etc. The zone also allows wineries, cheese dairies, and fruit packing houses, which will potentially cause disturbance to the species defining the area, as well as sports facilities that will cause the loss of areas used for feeding from bird species of the adjacent Natura 2000 Network area.

There is provision for the possibility of overnight stay in this zone which is contrary to the management plan for a Place of Community Importance "Akamas Peninsula" and in the rest of the area it is proposed to allow overnight stay in 2-3 approved organized camping sites preferably in already degraded places. In addition, the management plan sets out ecological criteria for the siting of green buildings and ecotourism activities where:

>> They do not include habitats of the most remarkable species of flora and fauna.

>> They do not consist of natural habitat types listed in Annex I to the Directive.

>> They do not have direct visibility to the nesting beaches of sea turtles and the direct sea area of these beaches.

>> They do not have a direct proximity to the important nesting beaches of sea turtles.

>> They do not affect the naturalness, coherence, representativeness and integrity of the natural habitat types of the Natura 2000 area, as well as the particular physiognomy and aesthetic value of the natural environment of the wider area.

In conclusion, the provisions of the zone are not in line with the management plan and the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 Network areas and are expected to have a significant negative impact on the species and habitats of determination since a zone of 1355 hectares (13% of the area of the Natura 2000 S.I.C. area "Akamas Peninsula") will be altered due to configuration and creation of infrastructure.

Agricultural Zone (Ca4)

A large part of the zone is in the immediate vicinity of Natura 2000 areas, with part of the zone falling under the areas of Koili-Mavrokolymbos (CY400008) and Agia Ekaterini-Agia Paraskevi Gorges (CY4000016).

As far as the rest of the area is concerned, it is expected that the areas adjacent to Natura 2000 areas where supermarkets, department stores, nuisance recreation, banquet halls, secondary education institutions, oil stations are allowed will have a great nuisance to the types of designation of the Natura 2000 network areas. Apart from nuisance, the facilities are expected to remove feeding and nesting areas of the adjacent Special Protection Area.

In addition, the developments may be visible from the coastline, affecting the nesting of the two species of turtles, which belong to the species defining the Natura 2000 Network areas. Within the Ca4 but outside the Natura 2000 Network areas, a regional control zone is proposed through the management plan, up to 500 meters east of Lara. This area needs special management to ensure that any developments will not have an impact on the nesting of turtles since they are visible from nesting beaches.

PROTECTION ZONE - AKAMA LANDSCAPE (DA1-TA)

Ecotourism activities without infrastructure are allowed in this zone. In addition to the creation of infrastructure and the landscaping of the site may have significant impacts, due to the loss of habitats, including priority habitats in Natura 2000 areas. It is also noted that especially for activities involving animals such as donkeys, they will not be able to operate without infrastructure without violating other legislation concerning animal welfare.

Specialized deployments in three regions

In this zone, specialized developments are allowed in three areas (Drousia and Pano Arodes – Kathikas, Inia) which are adjacent to Natura 2000 areas. The specialized developments include higher education institutions, specialized medical centres, multi-sport/ recreational centres, theme parks, research and development centres, which are large developments that will cause nuisance to the adjacent Natura 2000 network area, while at the same time, they will be a big factor for aggregated impacts as long as maximum numbers of developments are not given. With the siting of massive developments in places adjacent to or adjacent to Natura 2000 network areas, it is expected that the species of designation of the area will be negatively affected by noise emission, human presence and the reduction of food and nesting areas. Especially for developments such as sports /entertainment centres and theme parks, the nuisance is expected to be greater.

Livestock Zone (SG1) in Neo Chorio

It falls within areas of the Natura 2000 Network and it is expected that if livestock development is promoted there will be loss of habitats nuisance of the species of the area, pollution around the livestock premises and generally negative effects on the species and habitats of the area.

Residential Zone (Ka10b) in Droushia and Kathikas

Extension of a residential zone near Natura 2000 areas which may cause nuisance during construction and operation in the types of designation and remove areas of food collection and nesting. A bigger problem occurs in the provision of the Individual Residence 500 meters outside the development limit which will allow the construction of premises in areas adjacent to the Natura 2000 network areas.

Residential Zone (Ka10c*) in Neo Chorio

The zone abuts the Natura 2000 network area and the Da1-TA zone. Potentially construction works will cause disturbance to the types of designation of the adjacent area and the large presence of people in a direct area next to a Natura 2000 network area also causes them nuisance during the operational stage.

Quarry Zone (LZ)

The quarrying activity is a high nuisance activity that is located in the community of Androlykos and abuts in an area of the Natura 2000 Network. During the construction and operation of the zone, a high degree of noise and dust emission, loss of habitat used for nesting and feeding, vibrations from heavy vehicles, explosions and quarrying activities are expected. These will have the effect of reducing the activity and presence of the species designated in the Natura 2000 network area.

Tourist Zone (T3a) in Neo Chorio

Existing zone in which the upgrading will take place and abuts areas of the Natura 2000 Network. A potential increase in nuisance is expected in turtle nesting areas, increasing human activity and presence and illumination during the night, factors that affect the nesting of turtles that are a type of definition for the Natura 2000 Network area. It is also bordered by sea caves of Monachus monachus that is influenced by the same factors.

Tourist Zone (T3d2) in Inia

Creation of a Tourist Zone near areas of the Natura 2000 Network which may cause nuisance during the construction and operation of the species of determination and remove areas of food collection and nesting of bird species.

The area is visible from the beaches of Lara and Toxeytra which are important for the nesting of turtle species. Illumination visible from these beaches will have a potential negative impact on these species.

Also, a problem occurs in the provision of an individual residence of 500 meters outside the development limit, which through this zone will allow the construction of premises in areas adjacent to the Natura 2000 network areas and generally as scattered developments in the countryside.

It includes four Natura 2000 sites

The proposed Local Plan falls under four Natura 2000 network areas of which two are located entirely within the area of the Local Plan: Special Conservation Zone Akamas Peninsula, Special Protection Area Akamas Peninsula, Special Conservation Area Koili-Mavrokolymbos and Special Protection Area Agia Ekaterini-Agia Paraskevi Gorges.

Several provisions and zones will potentially cause significant disturbance to the species both from the implementation of projects in specific areas, but also from noise and dust emission during construction. They will also result in the loss of habitats and species of designation within a Natura 2000 Network area. Habitats that are outside Natura 2000 Network areas and will be removed for developments based on the provisions of the zone, affect the species of designation of the Natura 2000 Network areas since they are used by the bird for feeding and nesting areas.

The human presence is expected to increase both during the day and during the night since it is possible to allow overnight stay especially inside and outside the Natura 2000 Network areas, which will increase the pressure on the species of fauna and flora of the area. In particular, species that are most affected by night-time presence such as turtles during spawning will have negative effects.

The Environmental Authority has identified that urban planning as proposed may create negative impacts on the Natura 2000 network areas and for this reason it is necessary to abolish or change the zones and / or modify their provisions, so as to ensure that there will be no impact on the species and habitats of the Natura 2000 Network.