Filenews 14 May 2022 - by Angelos Nikolaou
In the wider area of the Sea Caves of the Municipality of Pegeia, an orgasm of growths is observed, despite the fact that zones of absolute protection have been created in order to prevent the uncontrolled use by the people of the coastal area very close to the important breeding and lactation shelters of the Mediterranean monk seal. There are both legal developments and illegal constructions just 60 meters from the entrance of a breeding cave, as well as arbitrary interventions to open access to a secluded beach.
In relation to the legal development concerning the construction of villas at the location "Stones of Vathi" in the Municipality of Pegeia, the whole licensing process began about three years ago. Specifically, the District Office of the Department of Town Planning and Housing of Pafos sent to the Director of the Department of Environment a letter dated. 6/6/2018 for views. One month later, on 3/7/2018, the Department of Environment, in its reply, stated that based on the announcement of measures issued by the Ministers of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment and Interior, aiming at the integrated protection of the Sea Caves, where among other measures it was decided to prepare a Proper Environmental Impact Assessment Study, to express its views on the application after the completion and the findings of the study.
In addition, the Department of Environment proceeded to consultation with the following competent state departments for this application:
Geological Survey Department: In a relevant e-mail date. 7/12/2018 reports that the northwest boundary of the plot is adjacent to the coastal front (distance of about 20 m.) in which there are no sea caves. The slope is subject to erosion mainly by the influence of rainwater and less by the wave action. Regarding the suitability of the subsoil for foundation, the Department considers the geological conditions in the plot as favourable.
Game and Fauna Service: Did not object to the development provided that within the areas of the Natura 2000 Network and within the Protection Zone of the Beach there will be no development or construction of projects.
Department of Fisheries and Marine Research: By a relevant letter dated. 28/11/2018, to the District Office of the Department of Town Planning and Housing of Pafos, it states that a Due Assessment Study has been carried out for the area of The Sea Caves in Pegeia and which presents the provisions and protection measures to be taken into account for any permitting and construction of projects in the said area. It notes that the greatest possible distance should be maintained between any constructions and the Natura 2000 Network areas and that the provisions based on the Protection of the Beach Law should be ensured.
In addition, it is noted that the Geological Survey Department conducted a geological / geotechnical survey between March-April 2018 for the evaluation of the rock mass on the coastal slopes of the Sea Caves area. Based on the results of the survey, two safety zones were established along the coastline, one for future constructions and one for passing visitors with a width/bandwidth of 50 m and 10 m, respectively.
It is noted that an environmental study was carried out for the developments in the area of The Sea Caves of Pegeia aiming at the integrated protection of the area. The study area was part of the Natura 2000 network areas. An evaluation report was prepared for this study, dated. 13/3/2019.
Taking into account all the above, the Department of Environment by letter dated 2/7/2019 sent its views to the District Officer of the Department of Town Planning and Housing, on the proposed development, according to which it did not object to the granting of a conditional planning permit. Conditions are included on various issues such as lighting, landscape design, the prohibition of any intervention/construction or redevelopment and/or landscape design and/or activity within the protection area of the beach and the Natura 2000 network areas, etc.
Carved rocks to access a beach
Creation of access with stairs to a rocky coastline were found by officials of the Department of Environment. Specifically, in a state forest block, an intervention was found in the rocky part of the coastline, where part of it has been carved and access has been created by stairs to the beach. The intervention is located within the protection zone of the beach and within the areas of the Natura 2000 Network. On 11/3/2022, the Department of Environment sent a relevant letter to the Mayor of Pegeia, as the competent authority, in order to proceed as soon as possible to the dismantling of access to the beach.
Sprouted tavern in "Spilio of Fokaina"
Illegal construction and operation of a tavern at the location "Spilios of Fokaina" were found by the competent authorities. On 16/6/2020, the Department of Environment sent a letter to the mayor of Pegeia, as the competent authority, for the immediate removal of the premises, since any further intervention may have a negative impact on the area and specifically on the Mediterranean monk seal. Furthermore, on 4/8/2020, the Department of Environment sent a relevant letter to the district officer of the Department of Town Planning and Housing of Pafos to inform the Department of Environment whether the said premises, which were at an advanced stage of implementation / construction, had secured planning permission. In addition, it was stressed that in case, if it does not have the relevant permits, it takes all the appropriate actions to terminate the works and restore the environment. Following the letter of the Department of Environment, the district officer of the Department of Town Planning and Housing of Pafos proceeded with an Enforcement Notice, dated. 31/8/2020, to the owners of the plot for immediate termination of any illegal building activity and removal / demolition of all unlicensed structures. For the above illegal construction, the Minister of Agriculture, Rural Development and Environment called for zero tolerance and for the legislation to be strictly applied with all the foreseen consequences for the offenders.
Reject two requests for new villas
In a large part of the area of the Sea Caves no human activity is allowed with the exception of scientific monitoring and management activities. To this end, in specific blocks that have not been built on to date and are located almost above the main breeding shelters of the Mediterranean monk seal, Monachus monachus, it has been ensured that they will be protected from possible future construction, so as not to affect in any case the statics of the caves. In this context, only recently, an interministerial Committee rejected two separate requests for the construction of holiday villas in the Sea Caves. These developments were proposed to be located within the minimum distance of 50 metres from the coastline, circumventing the provisions of the policy statement for the conservation, protection and improvement of the environment, as well as the sustainable use of coastal zones.
