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Being the summer season, we visited the various beaches and on occasion, we have noted some structures that are erected not by illegal private intruders, but by the Municipalities themselves!
As a matter of principle, we are not against this and these beach works/buildings cannot be black and white if they are good or bad for the bathers, but some illegalities just cannot be ignored.
· Beach Improvements
We have an increased number of tourists, but quality sandy beaches are having a problem to accommodate their increased numbers, so what do we do? Restrict tourists, no more beach houses/hotels and not to collect the much-needed income on which the Cyprus economy depends? If we are to take the Famagusta region which has extensive beaches, but they are to a large extent rocky, inaccessible by many, especially the disabled, old and children, as well as the lack of sanitary facilities.
So, in this region small sandy bay beaches have been enlarged by the local Municipality by removing rocks, constructing ramps for wheelchairs and providing toilets /changing rooms, install showers etc. We are all for it and this is born out by the before and after development. Small bays such as Serena, Vizakia, Nishia etc, Ayia Thekla at Sotira village are good examples of how beaches can be improved. Most of these improvements are without a license by the government, be it that the local representative of the government (the District Office) turns a blind eye.
· Objectionable Structures
Because no legal action has been imposed by the government against the intruding Municipalities, they are now encouraged to erect structures, which do not relate to beach improvements, but more to the added income that these structures can produce. The new approach is that the local Municipality applies to the government to lease beach land which it then sublets to private tenants. The tenants place a pre-fab style structure, which is licensed as a kiosk of approximately 20 sq.m., earmarked to sell products such as water, ice-cream, newspapers, juices etc.
That we can understand if the original and the actual structure erected are the same. In fact, what we have ascertained is that the original kiosks, then gets extended, to have a breakfast kitchen, then a fridge with beer and other alcoholic drinks, then some B.Q. counter is installed and at the end, it becomes a restaurant, a place for beach parties by rowdy young people especially at night. So that you do not think that we are exaggerating, we attach for your consideration two photos, the before and after picture. Since these structures are situated within the seashore protection zone where no buildings are allowed, one wonders. Since as they say in French, “by eating, one’s appetite grows”, we are now realizing huge intrusions in the seashore zone by private individuals to provide such “restaurant” facilities in most cases intruding in public land and interfering with private licensed developments.
If this sort of situation is allowed to remain unchecked, it will only get worse. If you wish to raise your objection, we suggest the following procedure:
· Write to the Municipality/local authority about the matter.
· Send a copy to the District Office, pointing out especially if these intrusions fall within the seashore zone.
· If no reply/ignored – write to the Ombudsman and then to the Auditor General (the latter is much feared).
· Make sure that if you report such intrusions and if you have buildings of your own nearby, that the buildings are in accord with the building permit since it is not uncommon for such Municipalities to scare you in your own illegalities, in order to make you shut up.
As we have said everything is not black and white. If we take for example Ayia Napa in an area west of the village and on the beach, a Municipality plot has been earmarked for bathers, which in the evenings accommodate weddings, beach parties etc (at a distance from residences) for anyone who wishes to use subject to conditions of use and rental pay. This is okay since if such facilities are not provided demand will direct such activities in other areas, which might be more objectionable than otherwise.
The noise and nuisance matters are expected to be addressed shortly and the new law provides for hefty penalties for loud noise/nuisance and this should restrict this problem, but in order to do it, we need an effective police for the purpose. Considering (for example) that Ayia Napa which accommodates approximately 300,000 tourists and there are only 6 police officers in the local police station, one wonders if the police are up to it to handle this and other matters.
