Residents of Peyia protest against new local urban plan

On the evening of September 7, 2026, residents and property owners in Peyia gathered at the Vrysi ton Pegeiotisson Square to hold a peaceful protest against the municipality's new local urban plan. Participants expressed significant concerns regarding current land-use restrictions, arguing that the regulations are negatively impacting the local community and property rights.

Neofytos Charalambous, representing the organizers, stated that since a 2013 decree by then-Interior Minister Hasikos, agricultural zones have been excluded from development, effectively stripping citizens of the right to build individual residences. Protesters highlighted that this policy has led to extreme inflation in the housing market, with rental prices surging from approximately 450 to 1,500 euros and the price of a two-bedroom apartment rising from 60,000 to at least 300,000 euros. The demonstrators demanded the immediate repeal of the decree, emphasizing their desire to build homes for their families rather than for commercial gain.

The protest serves as a public demand for the reconsideration of planning policies that residents claim have devalued their assets and hindered local growth. While the demonstration concluded without immediate official revisions to the urban plan, it underscores growing friction between local citizens and authorities regarding land management and housing affordability.