The Cyprus Property Developers Association met with the Department for Town Planning and Housing this week to address concerns about the compensatory measures for granting planning permits, particularly regarding the excess number of floors.

In a statement released by the association, the meeting, described as ‘constructive’, saw the participation of key figures including department director Kyriakos Koundouros, Markella Hadzida, the district planning officer, and Yiannis Misirlis, the president of the association, alongside other board members and general manager Mersina Isidorou.

The focus of the discussion was the challenges property developers face with licensing, especially the practices of some municipalities.

The association criticised these municipalities for demanding large sums of money as compensatory measures for tall building projects, instead of undertaking basic urban infrastructure projects.

This cost, they argue, is “unfairly transferred to property buyers”.

Misirlis emphasised the need for “clear, uniform guidelines from the planning authority to ensure transparent and consistent application of procedures, aiming to enhance transparency in the licensing process.”

Both Koundouros and Hadzida acknowledged the issue and committed to standardising procedures to maintain fairness across all municipalities.

Finally, the association reaffirmed its dedication to “resolving these issues through ongoing dialogue and cooperation with all stakeholders, striving for sustainable development and a fair, functional institutional framework.”