ILLEGALITIES AT SEA CAVES

 Filenews 21 October 2020 - by Angelos Nikolaou

The immediate dismantling of part of the public coastal pedestrian street built within the protection zone of the beach in the Sea Caves in the area in front of the six villas, which are located just above a breeding cave of the critically endangered species of the Mediterranean seal, asks the Environmental Authority of the Municipality of Pegia.

The project promoter proceeded to start construction projects before a reasoned finding was issued and before the planning permission was granted. To this end, the Department of the Environment has already taken all necessary steps since last Friday to remove the pedestrian street from concrete and to follow all legal procedures.

The competent authority, in a letter to the Municipality of Pegia, informs him that the dismantling of the pedestrian street must be done in a way and means in order to protect the habitats and rare and protected species of fauna and flora that surround the area. In this context, he notes, before starting dismantling work, the Department should be informed so that during the work he is present and an official of the Department of the Environment.

Following a complaint received by the Department of the Environment regarding the construction of a coastal concrete walkway in the area of the Sea Caves in Pegia, officials of the Department of the Environment visited the area "Stones of Vaty" (at the height of the piece with No. 12, P/C. 44/15E1) and found the construction of a public coastal pedestrian street made of concrete, about 80 meters long, part of which is located within the protection zone of the beach. Part of the pedestrian street built falls within the areas of the Natura 2000 Network Place of Community Importance (CY4000010) and Special Protection Zone (SPA CY4000023) Akamas Peninsula, while part of it abuts the two areas. Habitats and protected species of fauna and flora exist in the area, in accordance with the Nature Protection and Management and Wildlife Laws of 2003 to 2015 and the Protection and Management of Wild Birds and Game Laws of 2003 to 2017.

For the creation of a public promenade in this area, the Municipality of Pegia submitted an application for planning permission. In this context, due to the fact that the proposed project falls under the Second Annex of the Environmental Impact Assessment by Certain Projects Law of 2018, it was requested as prepared and submitted to the Department of the Environment through the licensing authority (Department of Urban Planning and Housing) Information Report and Special Ecological Assessment. In this context, both the design and construction material of the proposed public promenade and any other parameters along its entire length will be examined.

NOT SUBJECTED TO TWO ASSESSMENT OF IMPACTS IN THE ENVIRONMENT

However, as revealed by "F" on 12/10/2020, the project has already started before the necessary Proper Environmental Impact Assessment (IEP), also known as the Special Ecological Assessment, was assessed, and before the issue of environmental approval and planning permission. As a result, there appears to be a new serious infringement of the Community Directive of the European Union and the harmonising legislation of the Republic of Cyprus on the protection of nature and wildlife.

On the basis of the relevant European Habitats Directive and the corresponding Cypriot nature legislation, any project or project which is not directly or not necessary for the management of an area integrated into the European Network of Protected Areas Natura 2000, but which may have a significant impact on that area, as such or jointly with other projects or projects , it shall be duly assessed as to its impact on the region, taking into account its conservation objectives. On the basis of the conclusions of the JEP in the area concerned, the competent national authorities shall agree on the project or project in question only after verifying that it will not compromise the integrity of the protected area and after expressing the public opinion of the public concerned.

Work over the seal cave

The pedestrian street under construction falls within the Beach Protection Zone, the Agios Georgios State Forest and the Akamas National Forest Park (EDP), as well as the Natura 2000 TKS (CY4000010) and SPA (CY4000023) Akamas Peninsula protected areas. The coastal pedestrian street is constructed at a very short distance from the sea, above almost the habitat of the rare, directly endangered and strictly protected species of the Mediterranean Seal. At the same time, the coastal pedestrian street is made of non-natural materials, namely concrete and metal piles.

It is noted that the Republic of Cyprus is already facing a procedure for infringement of EU environmental protection law, due to the environmental approval and planning authorisation of dozens of projects and projects without them being subject to the necessary and legally binding procedure of the JEP. In fact, the relevant letter of formal notice sent by the European Commission to the Cypriot authorities on 27.11.2019 includes, inter alia, four projects located in the area of the Sea Caves of Pegia.