Serious deficiencies regarding the assessment of the effects on the marine environment from the construction and operation of two docks on the ongoing reconstruction of the Ayia Napa coastal front were identified during the examination by the Environmental Authority, which resulted in the promotion of the project, except of docks.
It is noted that the Municipality of Ayia Napa in its application considered the construction of the docks necessary, on the grounds that it gives the opportunity to pedestrian users to access the sea without the risk of accidents, due to the rocky inaccessible landscape of the beach, which extends throughout the length of the coastal front. In an effort to secure approval, the municipality has cited accidents that have occurred repeatedly in the past, mainly by tourists trying to reach the water by crossing inaccessible and dangerous rocks.
In particular, the Environmental Authority estimates that the effects on the marine environment will be significant and in some cases negative and irreversible, both from the construction and foundation of the docks, and from the operation of the project, through the artificial lighting of the docks in permanent base.
The following effects are observed:
a) Significant and irreversible adverse effects on the species Vermetus and Cystoseira, from the foundation of the docks and the destruction of the rocky substrate, which hosts the species.
b) Due to the artificial lighting there will be permanent effects on the existing natural evolution and balance of the flora and fauna organisms that inhabit the area covered by the docks, where, among others, the important species Vermetus and Cystoseira have been recorded.
The constructions within the Protection Zone of the Beach and mainly of the pedestrian street follow the logic of the replacement of the existing pedestrian street, which is dated and needs to be upgraded. A significant part of the constructions is located outside the Beach Protection Zone, in a Tourist Zone, where there is no particular impact on the flora of the area.
Within the area of the Beach Protection Zone, important species of the red book Flora of Cyprus are recorded and in some cases a negative impact from the constructions is recorded. It is estimated that by taking the necessary measures by the applicant, applying the terms of the Opinion and cooperating with the relevant Departments, the effects can be mitigated.
The project in Ayia Napa occupies the coastal front west of the Ayia Napa fishing shelter in the direction of Nisi beach. The starting point of the project is the parking lot of the already constructed urban project of the renovation of the Ayia Napa fishing shelter, which is located to the east of the project. The pedestrian / bicycle path is expected to cost a total of € 6,5 million (€ 3,5 million in the first phase and € 3 million in the second phase) and will be built exactly on the site of the existing sidewalk built 25 years ago.
The aim is not to intervene in private parts through a new route and at the same time to upgrade the existing sidewalk both in terms of materials and to expand its width to serve the rapid increase in the number of users, as well as the creation of the tangent bike path. the service of the increased number of cyclists, who do not intervene in the area of the sidewalk for their movement.
The project includes the coastal walk of the pedestrian street with a total width of 5 m and a length of 2.850 m, 3 playgrounds / playgrounds, flower garden with endemic flora, nature observatories, courts with international standards for beach volley, beach soccer and skate park, parking space length of the entire project that has access to and from the existing road network, as well as urban equipment that includes benches, waste baskets, drinking water taps, public showers, shelters, locker rooms / toilets.
The project will be constructed in two phases. The first phase will cover a distance of about 1.500 meters from the parking lot in the port of Ayia Napa to Pernera beach in front of the Electra Holiday Village. All constructions and interventions are located on state land. The entire length of the sidewalk / bike path, as well as most of the structures, are located within the protection zone of the beach.
It is noted that the Department of Urban Planning and Housing on 5/5/2016 sent to the Department of Environment its application for Improvement / Upgrading of the Coastal Front, Phase A 'in Ayia Napa and at the same time sent a Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment.
The Environmental Impact Assessment Committee examined the Project Report, at its meeting on September 20, 2016.
During the examination it was found that additional data were required, which were presented and examined, in a session on November 1, 2016. During this session, deficiencies were observed regarding the assessment of the effects on the marine environment, from the construction and operation of the docks and new Additional report on this issue, which was considered on 22 November 2016.
The projects in two phases
The first phase will cover a distance of about 1.500 meters, from the parking lot in the Port of Ayia Napa to Pernera beach. The first part of the first phase includes 2 playgrounds / playgrounds, flower garden with endemic flora (trees and plants of the area), docks and platforms to and into the sea for public access to water, urban equipment such as benches, waste baskets, fountains drinking water, shelters, changing rooms / toilets.
Then the second part of the first phase will be launched, which includes nature observatories, courts with international standards for beach volley, beach soccer and skate park, parking along the entire project, where there is access to and from the existing road network. and public showers.
Environmental impacts according to the study
The main negative effects on the environment from the Preliminary Environmental Impact Assessment, which are expected to be created during the construction works, are the impact of surface soil, various species of flora and the induction of dust and noise, while during the operation stage it is mainly increase in light pollution. Specifically, the effects on the environment are the following:
Impacts from the construction of the project:
a) Influence of surface soil that hosts species of flora, some of which are included in the Red Book.
b) It is expected that during the earthworks will be extracted more than 3000 sq.m. rubble.
c) The daily volume of municipal solid waste is expected to come mainly from the project workers. The waste will be disposed of in bins and then collected by municipal vehicles and transported to an approved site (landfill).
d) The emission of gaseous pollutants is expected to come from heavy vehicles, excavators, loading and unloading of materials and other construction machinery.
e) It is expected to cause increased noise levels that will be created during the earthworks and construction works as well as from the operation of the machines and the movement of vehicles to and from the construction site.
Impacts from the operation of the project:
a) The daily average and maximum water consumption will amount to 37 sq.m. and 70 km, respectively and will come from the installation and operation of showers for bathers.
b) With the construction and use of the showers, the production of an increased volume of liquid waste is expected, which will be channeled to the Ayia Napa Sewerage System.
c) Increased rates of light pollution will be observed due to the installation and operation of lamps along the entire length of the sidewalk.
Behind the lines
After the cornerstone, they saw the environmental
On November 21, 2016, the cornerstone was laid, marking the beginning of the work of the AD Phase of Improvement / Upgrading of the coastal front of Ayia Napa. However, the next day, November 22, the Department of the Environment was examining the study on the effects of this project. The opinion of the Environmental Authority was issued on November 29, ie a few days after the laying of the foundation stone. The first phase, the work of which is in progress, and is expected to be completed at the end of May 2018, includes the docks, which the Department of Environment did not approve, due to the negative and irreversible effects on the marine environment that will have the their construction. Now we expect to see what the future of the docks will be.
Source: Philenews