This is also happening on a Cypriot beach... Fools cut chains with emery in order to find a way to park almost on the wave, so as not to carry objects for a long distance and not to pay for parking. The unthinkable thing is that this happened three times, according to the Municipality of Larnaca, which is trying to find solutions in order to deal with the impunity observed on this beach, located in Mackenzie.
The unscrupulous are essentially taking advantage of the space of an abandoned building, which has been unused for almost a decade and would supposedly be part of a large investment, which remained on paper and was advertised in 2016 as... diamond of Larnaca.
It is not enough that the seaside monstrosity was filled with slogans and is one of the most miserable images of the - otherwise - cosmopolitan Mackenzie, it is now also occupied by the lords of the beach. The images recorded last Sunday by the "F" lens, next to the crowded beach, do not bring honor to Larnaca.
It is noted that this is perhaps the area with the most parking spaces in Larnaca, however, in addition to the beach, some people also park on the sidewalks, mainly next to the buildings of the Ministry of Health, making it almost impossible for people with disabilities to access the area.
Regarding the beach with the "diamond", the mayor of Larnaca said that a large chain was placed three times, which some people cut with emery, while they also broke the locks. "The beach cannot be closed in any other way because there must be access for ambulances, but also to the Cleaning Department of the municipality," indicated Mr. Vyras, noting that a complaint will be made to the Police and a chain will be placed again.
At this stage, as he mentioned, instructions were given to the traffic police to impose fines on those who park illegally in the sand.
Asked to mention what will happen to the abandoned building, he noted that if the owner does not proceed with its utilization then the Larnaca District Self-Government Organization (EOAL) will have to issue a demolition order.
"F" also addressed the president of EOAL, Angelos Hadjicharalambous, who stated that approval had been given for this building by the Council of Derogations, valid until June 19, 2026. "This period has ended, without a permit being issued. Also, in the file there is a letter of withdrawal of the latest plans by the architect.
So it is essentially an illegal construction", clarified Mr. Hatzicharalambous, stating that the EOAL will proceed with an enforcement process. "They will be asked to proceed either with demolition or with the start of the licensing procedures," he noted.
The mammoth "investment" in the area was announced on August 5, 2016. Under the slogan "the diamond of Larnaca", the Castle Project was presented, which would be located on the sea side. In the first phase, multi-restaurant, cafes and beach bars were to be created. Subsequently, a luxury hotel unit would be implemented, on the opposite side, with 13 floors.
The most impressive project announced was the so-called "crown diamond", which involved the creation of an artificial island, in the sea, in the shape of Cyprus, which could be reached by one of the seaside restaurants, through a large dock.
In the end, however, Larnaca saw neither diamonds nor crowns, which was left with an ugly building, the condition of which degrades the Mackenzie area.
