The Movement of Environmentalists started a war against Sotira, after their recent publications in print and television media that are directed against the development in Sotira. In a targeted effort, the Movement launched last Thursday, a harsh and rather caustic critique against the recent developments in Sotira to attract tourists.The Liberal article:
Arbitrary constructions on the beach of Sotira
The destruction of areas belonging to the Nature 2000 Network continues throughout Cyprus, without action being taken. After Alykes Larnaca and Poli Chrysochous, the beach of Sotira takes over. The Movement of Ecologists denounces the illegal works carried out in two coastal parts of the Sotiras area by the Municipality of Sotiras (Agia Thekla location), without the provision of the required permits by the municipality. These works that have completely altered the sensitive environment of the Nature 2000 Network area for the protection of birds and which now seriously affect the comforts of the area. Specifically, it was found:
a) Complete rocking of the beach in two large sections for the creation of a public beach by the municipality.
b) Transfer of sand from an unknown area to the two above coastal sections and placement in an unsightly manner of vertical rocks and / or prefabricated concrete walls for fencing / isolation purposes.
c) Erection of buildings always within the Beach Protection Zone that house public toilets and locker rooms for the purpose of serving the beach blocked by the municipality.
d) Displacement of the coastal registered dirt road at the expense of state land which the municipality chose to appropriate.
According to the Ecologists, the municipality has not obtained any required permit from the competent services of the state. Specifically, legislation of the District Administration, the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, the Department of Environment, the Fund of Thera, the Department of Public Works, the Maritime Works Service and the Department of Land Registry are violated.
In fact, some of the Services reacted to the municipality with relevant correspondence, but without the Municipality of Sotiras to terminate the works and to restore the area. They avoid implementing a decree. The Department of Urban Planning and Housing has issued an enforcement decree (ie termination of works), which Municipality of Sotira ostentatiously ignores. Ecologists call for law enforcement to restore the coast and remove any construction from the beach. After all, this will ensure the name of Cyprus against expected complaints to the European institutions, for non-compliance of the Republic of Cyprus with its commitments regarding the protection areas of the Nature 2000 Network. According to the Ecologists, it will also be an indication of objective exercise of power by the State. against arbitrariness wherever they come from, for example by the citizen.
By: Angelos Nikolaou
The whole history:
In 2012, the Municipal Council of Sotiras, with its unanimous decision, started renovation projects in the coastal area of Sotiras with the aim of attracting tourists. With great respect for the natural element, the City Council gave instructions on cleaning the beaches from weeds and rubbish to make them accessible to bathers. Without costs but also without intervention in the natural element, the beaches were cleaned externally and, after the approval of the prefecture of Famagusta, cots and umbrellas were installed. Also, after the encouragement of the CTO, services were offered that are offered to people with disabilities, showers and toilets for the public.
The whole problem, however, that appeared along the way was that the whole area from the river Liopetri to Makronisos is part of the Natura 2000 project, the integration of which was proceeded by the then government without any information to the Local Authority. The reason for joining the Natura project, according to the Thera Service and the Department of Environment, is the rare appearance of a seagull. The question that arises here is why the area of Makronissos, the hotel "Dome" and the new marina that will be built do not affect the Natura 2000 plan, while Sotira does.
After a meeting of Mayor Sotiras with the former Minister of Interior, Mrs. Eleni Mavrou, the assurance was given that despite the existence of the Natura plan, the Municipality can proceed with constructions, as long as the physical element is not particularly affected, something that the Municipality he did it.
Also, being aware of the time consuming procedures of the bureaucracy and the Public Sector for the issuance of permits, the Municipality, wishing -at last- the development of Sotira, hastened to actions that would make the beaches accessible to all without any influence of the natural element. .
Also, the complaint for rocking is not valid, nor is the transfer of foreign sand, since the person in charge of the beach transports the sand to the outside of the beach in winter for its protection.
The assurance of the deputy and the assistant prefect of Famagusta, who support Sotira, is also important, saying that "in no other beach in Cyprus were permits issued before the construction of monsters, but in Sotira everything is required to be done in the last detail" .
What seems like a question mark is why some people do not want the Savior to develop in any way and push to always remain the poor and underdeveloped relative, making daily and so zealous complaints that are often non-existent.
SotiraNews.com