The reform of Local Government and especially the transfer of licensing authority from the Urban Planning Authorities and Municipalities to the five Provincial Self-Government Organizations, which will be established from July 1, is expected to have multiple benefits for both citizens and construction professionals in the medium and long term. sector, emphasized the Minister of the Interior Konstantinos Ioannou.
In his speech at the 18th Conference and Exhibition of Land Development, Design and Construction of Buildings, Mr. Ioannou explained that this reform brings together three different services that currently have the responsibility for issuing planning and building permits.
"Consequently, the challenge is initially to smoothly merge the different cultures that exist under a single Authority, so that licensing is done faster and service to citizens is improved. This is a big change, which in the medium-long term is expected to have multiple benefits for both citizens and professionals in the construction sector", he emphasized.
11 of the 22 measures were implemented
As the Minister of the Interior mentioned in view of this change, the Ministry, after consultations with the ETEK, concluded from last October a package of 22 measures, with a time horizon for their completion on July 1 of this year, when the reform of Local Self-Government will be implemented and the Provincial Self-Government Organizations will operate
The purpose of the promoted actions, he added, is to modify the existing procedures in such a way as to reorganize the entire licensing process and introduce a more flexible framework, in order to reduce the time for examining applications.
As he mentioned, so far 11 of the 22 amendments have been completed and are being implemented, while another 10 are at a fairly advanced stage of processing and will be implemented in the remaining period until the Local Government reform.
He cited as an example the implementation of the new practice that provides for the prior consultation with services such as the Fire Service, the EAC, coke, so that the applications are submitted complete, to be forwarded more quickly, adding that the final goal is the full operation of the "IPPODAMOS" Integrated Information System, where all requirements will be submitted electronically, further reducing the time for examining applications.
He further pointed out that from January 1, 2024, advance securing and filing with the application for a certificate of external demarcation is required for the submission of a planning application, which he said facilitates the correct submission of applications to the ground database, ensuring, at the same time, that the necessary commitments are processed and no delays are caused in the examination of the planning application.
In the same direction, he continued, the amendment valid from January 1, 2024 for the receipt of applications for the granting of planning permission for the development of parcels only after securing a planning permission for plotting is moving in the same direction.
However, Mr. Ioannou highlighted as "the crowning glory of the 22 measures being implemented", the abolition of the obligation to secure planning and building permits for small developments.
As he explained, in the legislation that is being promoted, it is foreseen that the responsibility for the correctness of the completeness of the study will be the responsibility of the Architect or the Civil Engineer of the project, while at the same time, the institution of the Building Inspector is introduced and greater emphasis is placed on the on-site control of building development and the role of Architects and Civil Engineers is upgraded.
"We want to ensure that the bill will serve the purpose for which it is drafted. Although we are working intensively on drafting the bill, it is not expected to be completed before the implementation of the reform, and our goal is to have it completed and submitted to the House of Representatives as soon as possible within the year," he said.
Besides, according to Mr. Ioannou, in an effort to deal with the delays, a study (capacity plan) was drawn up, which demonstrated the need to hire 105 people to strengthen the existing staff and speed up licensing.
"Already 87 people have been recruited and placed in the existing urban planning and building authorities, with planning to be transferred to the District Self-Government Organizations from July 1," he said, adding that the aim of hiring additional staff is to process a significant number of pending applications before the implementation of the reform, but also their proper and timely training so that they are able to contribute effectively to the new licensing bodies.
The goal is 800 residential units from "Build-to-Rent" in the next three years
In his speech, Mr. Ioannou also referred to the government's new integrated housing policy, which aims to gradually increase the housing stock, with an emphasis on offering affordable housing options to citizens who need it. "The new housing policy has a human-centered orientation and strengthens the welfare state, in order to offer solutions to socio-economically vulnerable citizens who are unable to meet their housing needs", he added.
As he said, already in December, two of the actions of the housing policy were implemented, namely the "Build to Rent" Plan and the revised urban planning incentives, such as the granting of an additional free building rate of up to 45% of the current one, with an obligation to grant the whole of the additional units to be produced at an affordable rent for a period of at least six years.
"Combined with tax incentives and reliefs provided for in the Plan, a strong incentive is given to land development professionals, with the aim of strengthening the market with an additional 800 residential units within the next three years," he underlined.
He also referred to the revision of the urban planning incentives that had been applied in the past, saying that with the aim of increasing the production and distribution of new housing units, an additional building factor of up to 45% of the current one is granted, with an obligation to sell 25% of the additional units that will be produced for affordable housing purposes, at an average construction cost price, and 20% for the benefit of the owner at free market prices.
"We see the construction sector as the engine for development in our country, with a very important contribution to the economy and entrepreneurship of the country", said Mr. Ioannou, to add that for this reason, we invest in our cooperation with all organized operators of the building sector and its further strengthening.
Concluding, the Minister of the Interior assured "of our political will to intervene and differentiate established procedures and practices, to ensure the interest of citizens and professionals".
Source: KYPE