The proposal for a ban on issuing planning permission during the objection period was put before the Parliamentary Committee on Internal Affairs on Thursday. The proposal was tabled jointly by MPs Aristos Damianou of AKEL and Charalambos Theopeptou of the Ecologists.
Aristos Damianou, AKEL MP and Chairman of the Committee, said that the reason why the proposal was tabled is to avoid planning arbitrariness and environmental damage during the period when objections concerning a local plan are being examined. "Of course the proposal is being made in the wake of concerns about what is unfolding with regard to Akamas and the new local plan currently being developed. Of course it will in perpetuity relate to other similar incidents," he pointed out. He further noted that the Planning Department and the Legal Department disagree with the submitted proposal. "We will decide with Mr. Theopeptou the next steps," he added.
Asked about the Justice reform that was to be discussed in the Plenary, Damianou said, before the announcement of the decision of the leaders of the parliamentary parties to postpone the debate, that there was no reason for the issue not to be before the Plenary. "As far as our parliamentary group is concerned, we will take the final decision at 3:00 in the afternoon," he added.
For his part, Charalambos Theopeptou, President of the Ecologist-Citizens' Movement, said that according to the current legislation, an urban plan is published, goes to public consultation for four months, where one can submit objections and for a long period of time it is processed by the Urban Planning Department until it receives final approval from the Council of Ministers and becomes final. "You can see what a can of worms can be opened and what corruption can only occur with the announcement of a local plan," he suggested. He further urged all parties to vote for the said amendment.
Source: CNA
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