Alma movement proposes 100-meter coastal construction buffer in Cyprus

The political movement Alma has formally submitted a legislative proposal to the Cypriot Parliament aiming to enforce a 100-meter construction-free zone along the country's coastline. This initiative seeks to align national legislation with the European framework established in 2011, which designates a protected area starting from the highest winter tide line. Despite the 15-year gap since the European directive, Cyprus has yet to fully implement these coastal protection standards.

The proposed law specifies that exemptions from the building ban will only be granted for projects clearly serving the public interest. The movement explicitly stated that the commercial investment value of private developments will not constitute a sufficient ground for granting exceptions. Supporters of the bill point to long-standing criticism from the Audit Office, which has repeatedly called for the redefinition of protection zones and the modernization of existing laws to prevent overdevelopment.

Historically, the issue of coastal protection has been a point of contention in Cyprus. In 2023, the administration of President Christodoulides reportedly acknowledged the need for regulatory changes, though comprehensive reforms remained pending. The movement expects this legislative proposal to address existing loopholes that have allowed coastal construction to persist in contradiction to European guidelines.