The introduction of fast-track planning and construction licensing[/B] whereby permits in specific sectors are now issued in a maximum of up to 20 days is one of the most important achievements of the government, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said at the 30th Annual General Assembly of the Cyprus Civil Engineers Association (CPCOE), in Nicosia.
He said that it is a tool with which we succeeded in moving the cumbersome machines of bureaucracy, but also in fighting corruption, with the simplification of procedures that became a reality, as well as with the introduction of e-government.
In his speech, he said that over the last three years, as any objective observer can see, as a government we have accelerated the introduction of policies and reforms, succeeding in creating a more resilient growth model. This is confirmed by numbers, projects and various indicators. The ultimate goal is always the best service to citizens, he said.
Already the results of this reform are more than encouraging, he said, adding that by October 2022, more than 4500 applications for developments of up to two residential units on a plot or under construction were processed. Given this positive development, from September 15, 2022, we extended the fast-track licensing framework to larger developments of up to 12 residential units, as well as apartment buildings of up to 20 apartments, and mixed commercial, office and/or residential developments of up to 1,000 square meters, the Minister said.
Nouris said the goal was set for this reform effort to be completed by the end of the current administration's term. And this would become a reality with the passage by Parliament of the bill titled as the "On the Facilitation of Strategic Developments Law", which deals with the licensing of developments costing more than 20 million euros. The Parliament unfortunately did not complete the passage of the bill, which he said he expects to happen next March.
Noting that growth rates in the country are among the highest in the EU, he said this is the result of a holistic approach to both urban and building planning as well as the preparation of targeted plans with generous urban incentives.
One of these is the Legalisation and Licensing Scheme for Unauthorised and New Buildings on Approved Developments which had minor but manageable irregularities.
He also pointed out that the Ministry of Interior has recently issued a General Decree according to which a building permit is no longer required for photovoltaic systems in existing buildings.
On the issue of dangerous buildings, he said that in cooperation with the NTC, a relevant bill has been prepared, which amends the Regulation and Building Law, giving, among other things, tools to the competent authorities to effectively deal with dangerous buildings.
At the same time, the subsidy of costs for direct support interventions has been increased from €5,000 to €20,000.
In addition, the institution of regular inspection of buildings, as a preventive measure, as well as the procedure for the imposition of sanctions by the competent authorities, has been promoted.
With these measures we are confident that both in the short and long term we will achieve the expected change, both in support and in the aesthetics of our towns and villages, to be put into practice, the Interior Minister said.
In the field of protection of architectural and cultural heritage, he said that a package of measures to support the restoration of listed buildings has been in place since October, with an increase in incentives and grants to such an extent that the scheme is the most generous and generous among all EU Member States. Also, the benefits cover 50% of the maintenance and restoration costs of the buildings, with an increase in the amount of the direct grant from €90,000, which was previously €100,000.
Regarding the action plan for the revitalisation of the walled city of Nicosia, he said that the Ministry of Interior, with the contribution of the Town Planning and Housing Department, has prepared a set of actions that includes, among other things, two grant schemes.
He also said that one of the major issues was the inability to resolve problems in a large number of houses which were part of single developments or even complexes, due to the reluctance of co-owners to endorse the relevant application to claim the legalisation of irregularities.
According to the Ministry of Interior, two bills have been prepared which have already been submitted to Parliament and which amend the Real Property Law and the Planning and Zoning Law, so that it becomes possible for the owner of a dwelling in a single development of a residential complex to now submit a planning application for annexations within the part that constitutes the exclusive right of use of the dwelling.
This will make it possible to modernise the Title Deed without requiring the prior written consent of 100% of the owners of the single development, he said.
Source: CNA
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