The owner of a hotel development in Latsi has continued construction work despite a lack of permits as the Paphos district organisation (EOA) said on Tuesday it will seek its termination in court.
District governor Charalambos Pittokopitis said although the project was a desirable development for the area, creating new jobs, things should be done properly.
He told the Cyprus News Agency that once the EOA had the go-ahead from the Environment Department, it would issue the necessary permits.
Pittokopitis explained that the owner had obtained planning permission in October 2023, and a building permit in April 2024 to erect two-floor tourist apartments.
However, a three-floor iron construction was being built.
An enforcement notice was then issued by the Department of Town Planning and Housing, sent to the owner on May 30, 2024.
On June 7, 2024, the local plan was amended to allow three-floor hotels to be built in the area.
The owner then submitted a new application on August 8, 2024, requesting a permit for a three-floor building.
However, the Paphos EOA was notified that as of July 1 the owner was going ahead with construction works, and on July 30, he was sent a letter by the attorney general.
The attorney general informed them that the Paphos EOA had to take some measures.
Pittokopitis said that three-storey buildings were now allowed but under certain preconditions, one of which was to obtain the approval of the aesthetic control committee, comprising four architects appointed by the Cyprus Scientific and Technical Chamber (Etek).
The committee convened for the first time on October 9 made observations on the plans and recommended that part of the third floor be demolished.
The applicant presented amended blueprints and the committee reconvened on December 4, and accepted the plans providing for the demolition of part of the third floor.
Pittokopitis said this was an iron construction and any changes could be easily made.
On December 18, the EOA committee for issuing permits agreed that the project was desirable and would be seen positively if the Environment Department was also in agreement, with the exception of Paphos mayor Phedonas Phedonos, who disagreed with this position.
Pittokopitis said that on January 24 this year, the EOA decided to take the owner to court for failing to put the works on hold until the Environment Department had issued its opinion.
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