Cabinet urged to reject Cape Greco monastery permit

Environmentalists have called on the cabinet to refuse a planning permit for a monastery built without permission in the Cape Greco protected area. The ecologists urged the government to reject the application for the planned monastery of Saints Ephraim and Catherine, and order the demolition of any illegal structures presently built. The party said the development sits within the Natura 2000 network and a nature protection zone, and that the required environmental assessments were not followed. “Illegality cannot precede and licensing follow,” the statement said, warning that legalising work after the fact sets “a dangerous precedent”.

It said, “respect for the church” could not mean applying the law differently, and that “Natura 2000 areas cannot be selectively protected”. The planning council voted four to one in favour of allowing construction to continue, with the representative of the technical chamber (Etek) the only objector. A further meeting is set for October 30 before a reasoned recommendation goes to the cabinet, which alone decides. The environment department did not evaluate the application as the project is already well advanced, and recommended a negative response. The urban planning department likewise advised against, saying the project conflicts with nine provisions of the Paralimni, Ayia Napa and Deryneia local plan. Etek president Konstantinos Konstantis said the interior minister “correctly started the procedures” and that the demolition decision must be enforced. He argued that legalising work retrospectively…