The Cyprus Property Developers Association and Interior Minister Constantinos Ioannou met this week to discuss a number of issues impacting Cyprus’ housing sector.

These include delays in planning permits and the need for stronger public-private sector collaboration.

The meeting was attended by association president Yiannis Misirlis, board members, and general director Mersina Isidorou.

The discussion centred around the delays in issuing planning and building permits, which were identified as a major obstacle to both the housing market and the country’s competitiveness.

Misirlis explained that “these delays were putting significant pressure on the sector and called for immediate solutions.”

To expedite the process, Misirlis suggested that self-checking by planners should be extended to larger developments.

This, he argued, would help alleviate the backlog of applications at the environmental impact assessment (EIA) offices and allow for a quicker review of complex projects.

The association also proposed that planning and building permit issuance be consolidated under a single authority to improve efficiency.

Further discussions centred around the need for continued public-private sector cooperation in the development of affordable housing.

Misirlis also stressed the importance of ongoing evaluation and improvement of the Interior Ministry’s housing policies to better address the needs of the population.

Finally, Misirlis reaffirmed the association’s commitment to “working responsibly and constructively to resolve Cyprus’ housing challenges, ensuring the right to housing for all people”.