Filenews 8 February 2026 - by Natasa Christoforou
Although there are delays in the development process of both public and private space in the area of the former Larnaca refineries, the processes are feverish, with the Municipality of Larnaca exerting pressure in various directions in order to speed things up.
The reason is twofold and has to do with the timely implementation of public works worth tens of millions, but also with the announcement of implementation in the area of the grandiose Arts Center (Art Center), which was estimated at €30 million. The latter must be ready by 2029, in order for Larnaca to have it at its disposal when it becomes the European Capital of Culture a year later.
As far as public works are concerned, these will be determined through the study prepared by a private individual on behalf of the Department of Public Works. These are related to the treatment of erosion and the formation of the coastal front. The aim of the study is to define a strategy for the 3 km long coastal zone that was released, so that it is compatible with the Area Plan that provides for tourist/recreational uses and the provision of safe conditions for the use of the coast by bathers. This study was awarded in August 2024 and will have a duration of two years. However, as "F" is informed, there are already delays in the intermediate stages, which provide for the delivery of specific data (deliverables).
The issue was recently discussed at a meeting between the mayor of Larnaca and the Minister of Transport, who was asked to give instructions to the designer for the creation of a sandy beach in the area and not just a promenade, as provided for in the Area Plan. "What we want is as much public beach as possible, not a place like the pier of Limassol, so that people can enjoy the sea. We said that it can be written in the Area Plan, but we want them to tell us the ways to create a public beach. We want it to become a public beach, a public pedestrian street and parks to enhance public access to the area," said Mr. Vyras.
The request of the Municipality of Larnaca is supported, however, by Alexis Vafeadis, who told our newspaper that the goal will be to create an accessible public space. "We highlighted the issue of the formation of the coastal front of the former Larnaca refineries in a timely manner and convened a meeting with all stakeholders, so that the planning can proceed with a clear direction. We prefer the creation of a sandy beach with mild interventions, without hard elevated measures, for a modern, accessible and sustainable public space", noted the Minister of Transport.
The desire of the Municipality of Larnaca is to unite the liberated coastal front with the rest of the city. "Our vision is to connect the city with a pedestrian street that will start from Oroklini and reach Finikoudes, which is why the area must have a public character, with parks and a beach. What we want is to ensure the public character of the area", indicated the mayor of Larnaca, noting that when the study is completed, a tender will be announced for the construction works.
The public works that will need to be carried out in the area are included in the Area Plan and are divided into three phases.
The first phase includes the projects that will be demonstrated by the study of the Department of Public Works and are related to the treatment of erosion. The public coastal area, through the appropriate design, should provide the possibility of creating a multifunctional park along the beach, which will be offered for multiple uses and activities. In addition, roads of primary importance will be formed and completed.
The second phase includes the remodelling of the bed of the Archangelos-Kamitsis River and the configuration of the coastal road in the area of the Larnaca Nautical Club. The river should be protected, beautified, but also utilized, so that, through the appropriate configurations, the area around it can be transformed into a green lung and a space in which recreational uses will be hosted. It also includes the conversion of Psiloritis Street into an environmental road, encouraging pedestrian and cyclist traffic along an alley with large trees. On the street, provisions will also be created for the creation of small shops and cafes.
The third phase provides for the creation of a network of pedestrian and bicycle paths, which will be connected to Lake Oroklini and the rest of Larnaca. At the same time, it also provides for the creation of the large coastal pedestrian street mentioned above.
Where are the procedures for large private developments?
The image of the area of the former refineries will be determined, however, by the large private developments which, according to what was announced, will exceed €1 billion in the long run. There is still a way to go for these developments, since the necessary permits have not been issued.
The Petrolina group has already submitted a master plan for the "Larnaka-Land of tomorrow" project, which will be located in an area of approximately 400,000 sq.m. as well as the company EKO Cyprus, which owns a plot of 55,000 sq.m. next to the port of Larnaca. More advanced is the application of the company Solvin Ltd which wants to erect two towers in an area of 27,224 sq.m. near the Larnaca Nautical Club. The company, as we were told, is waiting for the issuance of a planning permit, in order to start the work for the recovery of the beach and then the construction works.
As far as the other two projects are concerned, applications for building are still pending. According to information from the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, the issue is at the stage of consultation between the competent departments that must submit opinions (Departments of Water Development and Public Works), while the environmental opinions are also pending. As reported to us by the Department of Urban Planning, efforts are being made to complete these procedures as soon as possible, given that the Larnaca Arts Center 2030 will be created on a coastal plot in the area of "Land of tomorrow", which was granted as social equipment (compensatory resulting from the plots).
"The procedures for the Art Center are progressing. The instructions for the building have been given and we are now fighting for the first building permit to be issued, in order to submit an application to secure a planning permit for the building", said the mayor of Larnaca on the issue, adding that a large group of designers and consultants of all specialties is dealing with the implementation procedures of the Arts Center. Asked to mention where the funding of the emblematic project, designed by the renowned architectural firm Foster + Partners, will come from, he replied that an effort will be made to raise funds from the next cycle of European Cohesion Policy Funds.
