After the construction of the three breakwaters east of the LeBay Hotel, the need for the construction of seven more from the Larnaca area to Voroklini was deemed imperative, in order to protect the beach from erosion and to create a beach, the Mayor of Voroklini Neofytos Fakontis told the Cyprus News Agency. As of September 2021, when construction began, we are on the second breakwater and the works are progressing according to schedule, he said.
He added that "the cost for the seven new breakwaters is around 4 million euros. Also, the Department of Public Works and the Community Council of Voroklini are in the final stage to sign an agreement with the construction company for the start of works on Phase C of the Larnaca - Dhekelia road."
Asked about private houses and cottages being built near the beach, making it difficult for citizens to access the beach, Fakontis replied that this is a matter of legislation. "It is required that the house be built at a distance behind the beach, which is called the Beach Protection Zone," he noted.
However, he said, "several years ago, permits were issued and unfortunately houses have been built almost next to the boardwalk and close to the beach. I believe that the government of the day should have adhered to certain standards and regulations that were in place, because the citizen has the right to have free access to the beach."
He also said that "we are working with the Planning Department so that when permission is given for a property to be built on the beach, a walkway is left for the public to approach the beach."
Regarding homeowners who "abuse" space towards the beaches by extending their yards, the Boroklini Community Manager said that "only in one of our areas does this problem exist. However, with the construction of the next phase of the beachfront walkway, certain problems that are expected to arise with the consent of the homeowners will be resolved."
He further explained that "a person may hold title to a piece of property that appears to touch the wave, but there is the Beach Protection Zone, in which the owner cannot develop anything. The Community Council that wants to build a walkway or do any other works on the beach will have to get the consent of the owner and if it does not, the site will be expropriated."
Contents of this article including associated images are belongs to Cyprus Times
Views & opinions expressed are those of the author and/or Cyprus Times
Source[/URL]
