-Controls intensify in tourist destinations
Following a government decision and the order of the leadership of the competent Ministry of Environment and Energy, controls were carried out by inspectors of the Inspectors and Auditors Corps, in Mykonos.
In order to ensure the observance of urban planning legality, respect for the natural and urban environment, as well as the right of free access of citizens and visitors to the coast, from April last year until today the Building and Demolition Inspectors have visited the island five times (specifically on 03. 04.2023, on 10.04.2023, on 14.07.2023, on 21.12.2023 and on 01.04.2024). They conducted intensive inspections to identify unauthorized construction in 13 companies and one private project and monitored demolition and compliance procedures.
It is noted that inspections are in full swing and will continue both in Mykonos and in other tourist destinations, the findings of which will be made public by the Ministry of Environment and Energy.
These days the bill of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which includes the reform in the issues of demolition of arbitrary construction and other urban planning provisions, which is proposed to the Parliament by the Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Theo Skylakakis and prepared by the Deputy Minister of Environment and Energy, Mr. Nikos Tagaras and the Secretary General of Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, Mr. Efthimios Bakoyannis.
The findings
The findings of the Corps of Inspectors and Auditors of the Ministry of Environment and Energy in Mykonos, by store, are as follows:
- PRINCIPOTE
During the first autopsy, on 11.04.2023, a conclusion was drawn up which included unauthorized constructions, enclosed areas with the use of warehouses, bars, toilets, shopping centres, etc., with a total area of 9,200 sq.m, pergolas and wooden flooring covering an area of 5,300 m2 , a concrete pitch of 21,500 m2 and a wooden wall of 300 m, which blocked public access to the public beach of Panormos. Subsequently, on-site inspections were carried out at the operation in July and December 2023 to monitor the demolition processes. In April 2024, all of the unauthorized structures were demolished. The structures that carried evidence of legality (building permit and affiliations) remained.
- PASAJI
In the business were found arbitrary constructions, such as pergolas 60 sq.m., walls 14 m., enclosed spaces 107 sq.m. and wooden walkways 40 sq.m. The part of the business that extends with a pergola and semi-open space in front of the seashore and the beach has been subjected to an arbitrary law and has been requested by the competent Building Department (YDOM), to check the submissions. The demolition of the arbitrary buildings, for which the appeal to the Central Council for Urban Planning Issues and Disputes (KESYPOTHMA) has not been accepted and has been determined by a private Building Controller.The mixed team will carry out a new autopsy in the business in the next period of time.
- KUZINA
The operation found licence overruns in all wings of the hotel and in the restaurant KUZINA. Specifically, these structures were semi-outdoor areas of 50 square meters, enclosed areas of 200 square meters, a gym, etc., walls of 50 square meters and a wooden bridge. However, an objection was lodged with the KESYPOTHA, where the majority of these unauthorized structures were shown to have been included in the law on unauthorized structures, while the remaining unauthorized structures that were not included were demolished by the owner. For the legality of these affiliations, a document with data has been sent to the relevant YMCA.
- AEONICSUITS&SPA
An autopsy was carried out on 10.04.2023 and 01.04.2024. An inspection of the hotel accommodation was carried out, according to the approved (from January 2018) building plan and found: conversion of underground areas of the pumping station and engine room into rooms with jacuzzi, enclosed areas of bar, restaurant, in place of the old pergola, storage areas above ground, additions on level 3, enclosed and semi-outdoor areas with the use of hotel, gym, spa, etc., total surface area of 2,000 sq.m. The company has filed an appeal with the CPSO and has not yet reached a final decision. In the next phase after the finality of the case, an autopsy will be carried out to follow up the case and impose the relevant sanctions.
- Alemagou
During the April 2023 autopsy, unauthorized structures were found, mainly of ancillary use as material storage and shelter areas, totaling 440 sq.m. During the April 2024 mixed team autopsy, the business was found to be in compliance with the removal of the structures/ permit violations. At the same time, a new permit was issued, on a small scale, for “landscaping an exterior addition of a pergola with a windbreak, a pergola for a parking area and repair of an existing shop area pergola and installation and removal of an event platform and landscaping.” The work related to the above approval had not been completed and no new overruns were found.
6.Superparadise
During the autopsy of April 2023, unauthorized constructions were found, mainly of auxiliary use (storage areas) and additions as extensions to buildings, with a total surface area of 181 sq.m. During the autopsy of the mixed team of April 2024, the company was found to be in compliance with the removal of the unauthorized structures, except for an unauthorized wall inside the plot, which separates the northern courtyard area, for which the company has appealed to the Central Council for Urban Planning of the Ministry and to date the decision of the Council is pending. For the unauthorized constructions identified by the team and included in the Unauthorized Structures Act, a letter has been sent by the department to the competent Ministry of Public Works to check their legality due to the time of construction, however, it has not yet replied. No fine decision has been issued.
- Lohan
During the autopsy of April 2023, unauthorized constructions were found, mainly of ancillary use, as storage areas and extensions to buildings with a total area of 970 sq.m., as well as constructions/modifications in front of the store within the seashore/beach. During the April 2024 joint inspection by the mixed team, the business was found to be in compliance with the removal of all unauthorized structures.
- Solymar
During the autopsy in April 2023, unauthorized constructions were identified, which concerned small extensions of 68 sq.m. and configurations inside and outside the plot and the seashore/beach, covering an area of 500 sq.m. The company has appealed to the Central Council of Urban Planning and after its decision a construction fine was imposed for the remaining unauthorized constructions. During the April 2024 autopsy by the mixed team in April, partial compliance was found as it was found that some structures have been removed.
- Santanna
During the autopsy of April 2023, unauthorized structures, mainly of auxiliary use, with a total area of 46,77 sq.m. and wooden platform configurations within the beach shore, with an area of 177,60 sq.m. During the autopsy of the mixed team of April 2024, the compliance of the company with the removal of the unauthorized structures was found.
- Jakie-O Κάστρο Χώρας
During the autopsy of April 11, 2023, an unauthorized construction was found in front of the store, an extension of the building and within the public area, with a total surface area of 45 sq.m. The company accepted the Conclusion – Autopsy Report of the inspection team and followed the compliance procedure for its dismantling by its own means, however, during the next autopsy of the team in April 2024, the partial compliance of the company was found. This business was assessed an erection and maintenance fine for the remaining structures.
- Jakie-O Super Paradise στο Plintri
During the autopsy of April 10, 2023, unauthorized metal and wood structures were found, which housed mainly utility rooms, with a total surface area of 226 sq.m. The company accepted the Inspection Report of the inspection team and followed the compliance procedure for its own dismantling, which however was delayed beyond the -legal- deadlines and fines were imposed. However, a subsequent inspection by the inspection team, on April 2, 2024, found the business in compliance and the removal of all of the unauthorized roofed, accessory premises in the finding.
- NAMMOS
A Demolition Protocol was drawn up by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, because during the on-site inspection of a team of inspectors, on 04.04.2023, it was found that extensive construction work was being carried out without a building permit, in buildings operated by the company “NAMMOS”. Part of a building, included in the demolition protocol, had been constructed within the seashore. An on-site inspection by a team of Inspectors of the Service will immediately follow, in order to confirm the findings of the 03.06.2023 conclusion of the competent Building Inspector, according to which parts of the unauthorized buildings included in the Demolition Protocol, including those within the seashore, have already been demolished and will be followed by an on-site inspection by the Corps.
In a different plot of land of the business “NAMMOS”, following an on-site inspection by a team of Inspectors on 03-04.04.2023, the Conclusion of 28.09.2023 was drawn up, concerning unauthorized extensions of buildings of 500 sq.m., with the use of commercial shops and restaurants. An on-site inspection by a team of Inspectors of the Service will immediately follow, in order to check whether the said unauthorized constructions were demolished.
