Residents and local groups began a protest march outside RAF Akrotiri on Saturday over plans for new military antennas in the area, amid concerns regarding both the potential environmental and health implications of their installation.

The march, organised by Kourion municipality, began at 9.30am from the first entrance to the Akrotiri municipal district.

A resolution is due to be delivered to the British bases following the march.

The British bases administration has said the project concerns the modernisation of infrastructure in the Akrotiri Salt Lake area and that construction cannot begin until the environmental assessment process and public consultation have been completed.

Environmental organisations Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus have further raised concerns, pointing to the ecological importance of the area and scientific studies recording bird deaths and collisions involving existing antenna infrastructure.

The Akrotiri salt lake is protected under the Ramsar Convention and the Natura 2000 network, while the wider peninsula is an important migration corridor for birds in the Levant.

The organisations, which are participating in the consultation, have called for the project’s assessment to be “scientifically substantiated” and compliant with environmental legislation.

The dispute has also raised concerns among local authorities over the scale of the planned military infrastructure.

Kourion mayor Pantelis Georgiou previously said the municipality had initially been told that 20 antennas would be installed while 18 would be removed, however they were later informed that 68 would be installed in the first phase, followed by a further 68.

Georgiou has raised concerns regarding possible health and safety implications and said the municipality was seeking updated information on radiation emissions.

Existing measurements, he said, had shown levels within legal limits, although the municipality had requested newer monitoring equipment and further independent assessment.

Residents have also pursued legal options over the project, including examining whether proceedings could eventually be taken to the European court of human rights.

The British bases administration has said it is “committed to ensuring that this project is delivered responsibly” and in cooperation with local authorities and communities.