PAPHOS EOA - DECREE SUSPENDING WORK ON ILLEGAL EXCAVATIONS BETWEEN ANAVARGOS AND ARMOU IS ISSUED - Pafos Press 24/7
The Paphos District Local Government Organization (LDO) is immediately proceeding with the issuance of a decree suspending work against the owner of a piece of land in the area between the communities of Anavargos and Armou, where extensive earthmoving works have recently been carried out without the required planning permission.
The decision was taken during a meeting held today at the office of the president of the Paphos Local Government Organization, Charalambos Pittokopitis, with the participation of officers from the Licensing Department and the Organization's legal advisor.
As Mr. Pittokopitis told CNA, the works involved the levelling of a private plot, however, during their execution, high slopes and extensive excavations were created, for which a planning permit was previously required, which was not done.
The president of the EOA stated that the decree suspending the works is expected to be issued immediately, in order to stop the works, while the foreseen procedures will then be initiated for the taking of further criminal measures in relation to the illegal excavations and levelling.
The development comes a few days after the public interventions of the Mayor of Paphos, Angelos Onesiforos, who had called for the strict implementation of the legislation on illegal works in the Konia area, between Anavargos and Armou.
According to Mr. Onisiforos, the owner had already received instructions three times to stop the work, but did not comply, while continuing the interventions, causing, as he claimed, extensive alteration of the natural landscape.
The Mayor of Paphos had called on the competent authorities to proceed with the full implementation of the legislation, even by confiscating the machinery where this is provided for, as well as by referring the case to the Court, underlining that the protection of the natural environment and the equal application of the law are non-negotiable obligations.
