Filenews 16 July 2022 - by Natasha Christoforou
At a time when local authorities and individuals began to plan how to use pieces of land, within the boundaries of the British Bases, where under the Land Development Plan a certain type of deployments were allowed, some areas remain doomed, since due to proximity to British military facilities, they were excluded from the Policy Statement published last May. This has caused the strong dissatisfaction of local authorities and landowners at the British Bases of Dhekelia, who are preparing a rain of objections, asking for development to be allowed in certain areas.
According to the Policy Statement, six areas of the British Bases of Dhekelia, were included in the "special policy areas", due to their location, their importance or even because of their proximity to military facilities. For these areas, located in Deryneia, Acheritou, Frenaros, Pyla, Xylotympou and Xylofagou, a specialized handling was decided, which in some excludes and in others significantly limits the prospects for development.
The most intense reactions come from Deryneia, where both the Municipality and individuals living in the long-suffering area of Strovilia, ask for the possibility of residential development. According to the decision of the Bases throughout the area, around the military facilities in the area of Agios Nikolaos, which falls within the administrative areas of Deryneia, Acheritou and Frenarous, "no development will be allowed, for military and security reasons".
In fact, based on this provision, all the areas that fall within the boundaries of Deryneia, which is the only area that did not benefit from the Land Development Plan of the British Bases, are doomed. The decision has drawn the ire of the Municipality of Deryneia and the residents of Strovilia, in which twenty people currently reside, who are expected to file objections.
Speaking of "blatant injustice" and a "repeated blow to the border town of Deryneia", mayor Andros Karagiannis, who has already made representations to both the British Bases and the Government, told "F" that through the objections the area will be requested to become residential and to allow mild commercial development.
"In Strovilia, objections will be filed by the residents and I invite them to do so to allow residential development. We, as a Municipality, will file an objection to the main road leading to the Strovilia barricade, to allow mild commercial development. We want a kiosk to be able to open, for example, and to create a small square, just before the barricade, so that it does not present the image it has at the moment. Also next to give the area for residential development and the rest to remain agricultural land, as is the demand of the British."
For the Government to assume its responsibilities
At the same time, Mr. Karagiannis called on the Government to assume its responsibilities and to immediately provide additional incentives to existing residents or homeowners interested in returning, in order to continue the physical presence of people living in Strovilia, whose residents were forced in 2000 to leave their homes, due to the advance of the Turkish army. "This is a second request concerning the Republic of Cyprus. Basic services do not exist in the area. Feeling insecure and knowing that he does not have the basics, such as electricity and water, or the ambulance cannot come immediately, if something happens, is a big problem. The Municipality of Deryneia can exercise its power, as far as its capabilities reach. But we cannot replace the state."
Request for the concession of a coastal area
The restrictions on the Land Development Plan of the British Bases also caused great discomfort in the community of Pyla. Although almost one square kilometr of tourist zone was given, important areas were left out, in which the community had invested a lot. According to the decision of the bases, the development around the Kingsfield runway, the development around the British Bases Prisons and in the area northwest of the Military Sites of Dhekelia was prohibited.
Already, as the president of the community, Simos Mitidis, mentioned, the community is in the process of tendering, in order to hire a town planner to prepare the objections, which must be submitted within four months from the date the Plan was announced. "Pyla is one of the most disadvantaged areas. We claim about twice the area they gave us for developments. At the same time, individuals will also file objections, who cannot exploit their properties."
Pyla claims plots in two areas. The first is on the coastal front from the CTO to "Savvopoulos", in the area where there has been an abandoned building for years, which is a great dissonance. "The area given is across the sea. We had also asked for the part that is in the sea, in order to be used for tourism. The land they give us in residential areas, in fact only helps 4-5 owners and is less than 100 hectares."
In addition, the Community Council will claim an area, between Pyla and Pergamon, for special developments, such as sports facilities, medical centres, etc.
Xylofagou, who has already hired an urban planner to claim plots in two areas, is also preparing an objection. According to the president of the community, Georgios Tasos, in the area of land consolidation, a very small area was given. "We as a community do not agree with this decision and we will ask for an extension of about 500 metres. There are also 10 pieces in the sea, which we will claim. While in Ormidia, everything entered our tourist area, the same did not happen."
Background
Turmoil in other communities
Although there is satisfaction with the decision of the Bases, since it gives great prospects for development in many areas of the Larnaca district and free Famagusta, information from "F" says that there is discontent in other areas.
This may lead to the submission of further objections before the expiry of the deadline given by the British Bases.
Among these communities are Xylotympou, whose Community Council will meet to take decisions, but also Acheritou, which may file an objection to the creation of a livestock area in the community.
