Filenews 12 April 2025 - by Angelos Nicolaou
A rainwater retention dam for the needs of the integrated development of large and complex uses in the Municipality of Peyia is being planned by the company Aetheria Heights Ltd of the former President of the Republic of Cyprus George Vassiliou, which has now been transferred to his three children. Both for the future development and for the proposed dam that is being examined by the competent services, the strong reaction from Mayor Akamas is recorded.
Half of the consolidated development concerns 250 residential units, while it includes a Rehabilitation Center and a Research and Technology Center, a square with an art gallery, shops and restaurants. The operation of the dam will have a containment character. Both rainwater and catchment water will be temporarily collected and gradually released, reducing the risk of flooding downstream of the dam, i.e. the residential area downstream of future consolidated development.
Essentially, the dam will retain floodwater, which will be stored and released gradually so as not to increase the flow downstream.
As stated in the environmental study, regarding the residential and sensitive land uses found in the wider area, these are not expected to be negatively affected by the operation of the dam, as no noise, air pollutant or odour emissions are expected. The intention is to create a sustainable zero-energy growth, which will contribute to innovation in the field of sustainability in Cyprus and Europe.
The Mayor of Akamas, Marinos Lambrou, expresses his complete opposition to the construction of a dam in the area of Ai Vouni. In a letter to the competent authorities, he asks for the rejection of the planning permit, citing serious risks for the residents and the natural environment.
The letter is addressed to the Director of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, the Director of Licensing of the Paphos EDA and the Director of the Department of the Environment. Mr. Lambrou expresses the opposition of the Municipality of Akamas not only for the permit, but also for the proposed construction itself.
The Mayor described the proposal as "unheard of" and wondered what would happen in the event of extreme weather events or failure of the project. He stressed that under the construction site is the traditional core of the Municipal District of Peyia. "We will mourn victims," he warned, claiming that competent state departments refuse to see reality and turn a deaf ear to the local authority's appeals. Mr. Lambrou expressed his disappointment at the insistence of the Services to proceed with the licensing, denouncing "pressures" and ignoring the concerns of the local community.
The study area borders with residential zone H5, where the separation of 44 plots by the same company is planned, while the core of Peyia is located just 1 km. distance from the Natura 2000 area.
Letter from the Municipality of Akamas: Opposition to the implementation of a dam in Peyia
In its letter to the competent state services, the Municipality of Akamas expresses its categorical disagreement with the issuance of the Urban Planning Permit for the proposed development in the area of Peyia, which includes the construction of a barrier for rainwater retention. The Municipality points out the seriousness of the risks that may arise, mainly due to the location of the dam in a mountainous area next to the traditional core of Peyia.
The local authority emphasizes that this development, which is located in a Protection Zone (Z1) and adjacent to a forest area and the Natura 2000 network, poses significant environmental risks. The Municipality's bodies express strong concern about the consequences that could arise in the event of extreme weather phenomena or failure in the operation of the dam, which could lead to disasters and loss of human lives.
With particular concern, the letter refers to the fact that the competent state services intend to proceed with the approval of the project, despite the warnings of the local authority and the residents of the area. In addition, the letter raises questions about the motives that may motivate this development, which, according to the Municipality, will cause ugliness and destruction to the landscape and natural heritage of the area.
The letter concludes with an appeal to the competent authorities to reconsider the request for the development, stressing that the rejection of the project will contribute to the preservation of the area and prevent its potential destruction.
The study estimates that the project will not cause significant negative impacts on the area
In the environmental study for the construction of the interceptive dam, which is intended for the storage of rainwater in the context of the "Integrated Development of Large and Complex Uses" in the area of Peyia, it is noted that the dam aims to retain flood water volumes in order to prevent the increase in downstream.
The study describes that the dam will have a capacity of 3,000 square meters and will be located in an area with an estimated construction cost of €3,000,000. The project is expected to be completed in 24 months from its start, after securing the required permits.
The development of the dam, which will include an evacuation system to manage flood volumes, is designed to limit the risk of flooding in the area downstream of the dam. Planned construction works include excavation, foundation, and creation of the necessary infrastructure for water storage and evacuation.
