Filenews 17 July 2022 - by Angelos Nicolaou
At the end of August or at the latest at the beginning of September, the publication of the local plan Akamas is expected to be published and posted on the website of the Department of Environment, the Special Ecological Assessment Report is expected to be issued and posted on the website of the Department of Environment, which will be sent simultaneously to the members of the ad-hoc Committee for the Special Ecological Assessment and the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee from Plans and Programs.
It is noted that the Akamas local plan has already been subjected to the process of appropriate assessment of the impact of the revised plan on the objects of protection (habitats and species) and the conservation objectives of the Natura 2000 Network areas Special Area of Conservation (for natural habitats and wild flora and fauna) and Special Protection Area (for wild birds) Akamas Peninsula. Specifically, the revised Akamas local plan was presented and examined at the meetings of the ad-hoc Committee for the Special Ecological Assessment that took place on 4/4/2022 and 19/5/2022.
In addition, the Strategic Environmental Impact Study was already presented at a meeting of the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee from Plans and Programs that took place on 19/5/2022. Following the issuance of the Special Ecological Assessment Report tomorrow Monday, 18/7/2022, the Committee for the Evaluation of The Impact on the Environment from Plans and Programs will meet for the last time on the issue next Friday, 22/7/2022, to examine the additional and clarifying elements related to the Strategic Environmental Impact Study for the revised Akamas local plan.
The members of the Environmental Impact Assessment Committee from Plans and Programs will have the opportunity to submit recommendations for the imposition of additional conditions for the mitigation and prevention of environmental impacts, beyond those related to nature and biodiversity (ie protected species and habitats), which are not included in the Special Ecological Assessment Report. After the completion of the session, the minutes are expected to be prepared and then the final Opinion of the Strategic Environmental Impact Study is expected to be issued, which will be sent to the Urban Council along with the Special Ecological Assessment Report.
The Town Planning Council is expected to compare what is included in its decisions with what will be included in the opinion of the Environmental Authority and after making the necessary amendments based on the legally binding and essential terms of the Environmental Authority, then it is expected to proceed with the publication of the Akamas local plan. Provided that the opinion of the Environmental Authority will be sent before August, the Urban Planning Council is expected to meet immediately after and proceed with the publication of the local Akamas plan at the end of August or at the latest at the beginning of September.
Warning of the European Commission
The Preservation of biodiversity and the protection of Akamas both inside and outside the Natura 2000 network areas, the European Commission requested from the Republic of Cyprus, in a recent communication they had at official level on general biodiversity issues. The Environmental Authority is expected to take into account the above points of the European Commission.
It is reminded that the Environmental Authority on 7/10/2021, issued a negative Special Ecological Assessment Report (Appropriate Assessment) and an Opinion of a Strategic Environmental Impact Study for the Akamas Local Plan. It is noted that although a number of legally binding and essential conditions have been set by the Environmental Authority, these conditions have not actually been adopted by the Town Planning Council. According to the Department of Environment itself, the conclusions of the initial decision are not materially different from the updated Special Ecological Assessment of the Revised Akamas Local Plan.
The Akamas Local Plan is a Development Plan and is a continuation of the Policy Statement in force until today. Until the publication of the Local Plan, a decree is in force that defines as a White Zone the areas of Kathikas, Pano Arodon, Kato Arodon, Inia, Drousia, Fasli, Androlykos and Neo Chorio.
