Negative is the Report of Adequate Impact Assessment in the Protected Areas of the Natura 2000 Network, Site of Community Importance (SCI) and Special Protection Zone (SPA) National Forest Park (SNC) Cape Greco, for the creation of a golf course in Agia.
The proposed project concerns the construction and operation of a golf course and ancillary infrastructure in the protected areas of the Natura 2000 Network, as well as tourist and holiday developments (hotel and residences) adjacent to the protected area. It is noted that tomorrow the Environmental Authority will examine the Environmental Impact Assessment Study (MEEP) for the General Spatial Plan (Master Plan) for the creation of a golf course of the company "Ayia Napa Forest Golf Ltd", in the presence of, among others, the mayors of Ayia Napa and Paralimni.
The proposed project is expected to be the largest development within the Cabo Greco Natura 2000 SAR protected area. Specifically, the project occupies 6% of the land area of the SCI area, which consists of approximately 45-50% of invisible habitat and mixed invisible habitat with masses, while 7,5% of the area includes the priority habitat Mediterranean seasonal lakes .
During the integrated environmental impact assessment of the project in the area of the Natura 2000 Network, SCI and SPA Cape Greco SPA, their conservation objects (habitats and wildlife species), their conservation objectives (favorable conservation status), the designation species of the SPA areas, as well as the coherence of the Network areas, did the Environmental Authority take into account? (a) the Site-Based Impact Assessment Study, (b) the Natura 2000 Area Management Plans prepared for the areas in question, (c) the relevant legislation and data, and (d) the same knowledge of Ad experts hoc committee.
After evaluating all the data for the protected area, it is found that the construction and operation of the golf course within the protected area and the related tourist developments will have significant, negative and irreversible effects on the conservation objectives, the cohesion, the structure and the operation of the habitats. of the areas of the Natura 2000 Network, SCI and SPA, SDP Cape Greco.
The main effects are the loss of 7,5% of the priority habitat Mediterranean seasonal lakes (five places, there is probably a larger number of lakes in years where weather conditions allow), which is one of the most important habitats in this area, the degradation of important species of flora it hosts but also loss of possible other potential sites (higher percentage). It is noted that this habitat is a shortcoming according to the results of the biogeographical seminar for the Republic of Cyprus and its obligation to implement the provisions of the Habitats Directive (92/43 / EEC). The effects also concern the loss of other important types of natural habitats and mainly the habitat with invisible shrubs, for which there is a significant loss of compact area of about 8-10%.
In addition, the disturbance, loss and fragmentation of bird habitat habitats, which use the area for nesting, feeding and rest, mainly endemic, predatory and other migratory birds, including species, is considered important.
The effects are mainly due to the character and size of the project, which is located entirely within (center) of the protected area, in an area with wild natural vegetation (mainly invisible), resulting in a negative impact on the natural environment and wildlife.
According to the Department of Environment, possible implementation of the proposed development in the area will create additional pressures to change land uses, with the opening of roads and other infrastructure (electricity, water supply, road network, etc.), which will cause additional cumulative negative effects. in habitats as well as in species.
In addition, it is noted that these tourism developments, which are proposed in connection with the creation of the golf course, are adjacent to the protected area and are expected to cause additional cumulative pressures.
In an area of more than 1 million sq.m.
The proposed project concerns an 18-hole golf course with ancillary facilities (golf club, with parking and field maintenance, etc.), other related tourist, commercial and residential developments (a luxury five-star hotel unit with services, multipurpose room, shops and residential units in integrated development), as well as other necessary infrastructure (such as road network, green spaces, landscaping, etc.). The golf course and ancillary facilities are located within the Natura 2000 - Cape Greco area and other related tourist, commercial and residential development are adjacent to the north and east of the protected area. The total land for development, which will occupy the proposed project amounts to 1.037.628 m2, of which 590.000 m2 leased state forest land within the protected area of Cape Greco (golf course, club house, maintenance area), and 139.479 m2 leased state land and 308.149 m2 private land (other related tourist facilities). The total area of the golf course (proposed 18-hole footprint, not including Club House and Maintenance Unit) will occupy an area of 301.381 m2.
With a luxury 10-storey hotel
The tourist development will include a luxury five-star hotel with a capacity of 500 beds (250 rooms and SPA, swimming pools, gym, restaurants, bars, etc.), with 10 floors and a basement, with a total area of 15.000 sq.m. approximately, while it will have a total of 225 parking spaces, underground and outdoor. The hotel in a future phase is expected to expand by 100%, doubling the number of beds and other sizes. The total number of holiday homes will amount to 228, of which 216 will be two-storey houses with a building area of 140 sq.m., while in the future they are expected to increase by about 20% in future expansion of the project. The commercial development will have a total area of 6.000 sq.m. Finally, the public roads will occupy a total area of 25.218 sq.m., while the total tourist, commercial and residential development will occupy 367.497 sq.m. It is noted that, during operation, the estimated water needs for water supply will amount to 106.163 sq.m.
The proposed development is located in the area of Cape Cape Greco in the southeastern part of Cyprus and falls within the administrative boundaries of the Municipality of Ayia Napa and the Municipality of Paralimni.
Source: Liberal