A large private house, currently embroiled in controversy over its legality and environmental impact, is being constructed on an expired building permit and is closer to the Kryos Potamos river than regulations allow, recent inspections have revealed.
The Cyprus Greens visited the site on Friday, accompanied by the Limassol district organisation and technicians, with a report on their findings expected next week.
Meanwhile, the Greens plan to protest the private project on Saturday afternoon, despite architect and owner George Papadopoulos insisting that the construction is entirely legal and that no trees have been cut down.
Greens MP Stavros Papadouris said that Friday’s inspection confirmed the site is within a residential area, just a few meters from the Natura 2000 Troodos forest.
While a building permit was issued for the house, it expired a month ago, and a new application is still pending approval.
Furthermore, the Water Development Department had stipulated that the building should be at least 5 metres from the riverbed – a distance that appears not to have been respected. “Starting any building works is not allowed before obtaining a valid building permit. Therefore, the Limassol district organisation should order the immediate suspension of any work until the permit is reissued,” Papadouris said.
He added that if an official survey by the Land Registry determines that the house is closer to the riverbed than the required five metres, then “any part of the building within that zone should be demolished.”
George Papadopoulos, identifying himself as the architect, responded to the Cyprus Mail, explaining that he purchased the 520sqm plot about 15 years ago. With a 35 per cent building factor, he is permitted to construct up to 182sqm, though the base of his building is only 28sqm.
He emphasised that he has obtained all necessary permits from the Land Registry and the Water Department, along with a plot demarcation certificate, and described online reports as “unacceptable, to say the least.”
Papadopoulos insisted that no trees have been cut down, a claim that can be verified by the Forestry Department. “We even saved the fruit trees, as this site was an orchard,” he noted.
Once construction is complete, Papadopoulos plans to cover the entire wall facing the river with climbing plants.
Addressing concerns about the river, Papadopoulos denied altering its natural flow. “I’ve only built a temporary small masonry wall on the bank of the small natural pond to prevent dirt from falling into the water due to the ongoing works. This wall will be demolished once construction is finished,” he explained.
Responding to the videos on social media showing dead fish floating in the pond, Papadopoulos blamed the fish farm upstream.
“They are carried by the river from the fish farm further up, perhaps when they are still eggs,” he says.
He also dismissed allegations of littering, stating, “Any rubbish is brought by the river; we do not throw anything.”
Papadopoulos criticised other buildings in the area, describing “cement columns of buildings in the centre of Platres, the size of a block of flats, surrounded by rubbish and mess.”
The architect also says that when the site was previously accessible to the public, it was dangerous.
“The site was only accessible via a steep footpath and a drop from an eight or nine metre height from the rock above. Some young people were trespassing and jumped to the pond risking their lives, with me – as you can appreciate – being legally responsible,” Papadopoulos adds.
He also says he does not have an outdoor jacuzzi.
Meanwhile, the Green Party announced a protest on Saturday against the private project, which they claim has encroached on a riverbed and appropriated a natural waterfall as part of its construction.
Environmentalists argue that the damage to the waterfall on Kryos Potamos – a river known for the Caledonian and Millomeri falls – has already been done.
“We are following with great concern the developments and the environmental impact caused by the construction of a house on the Kryos riverbed in Platres, which is causing serious environmental degradation,” the Green Party said in an earlier statement.
“The issuance of a planning permit was done by bypassing the competent authorities, according to our information, and this fact intensifies our indignation,” it added.
The party said it would be protesting the development on Saturday at 5pm at the specific spot.
The demonstration will be attended by Green Party leader Giorgos Perdikis. The party called for as many people as possible to attend.
“Protecting the environment is everyone’s business,” the statement said.
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