Environmental group challenges illegal monastery construction at Cape Greco

The Movement of Ecologists – Citizens’ Cooperation has formally requested that the Cyprus cabinet reject a planning permit application for the Holy Monastery of Saints Ephraim and Aikaterini. The structure was built without authorization within a protected Natura 2000 zone at Cape Greco. The party argues that granting a permit would create a dangerous precedent for legalizing illegal developments in environmentally sensitive areas.

According to the Ecologists, both the Department of Environment and the Town Planning Department have provided negative reports regarding the deviation request. They emphasize that the necessary environmental impact assessment procedures were ignored during the initial construction. The party is calling for the immediate enforcement of existing decisions to demolish the illegal structures and restore the natural landscape, a demand they have maintained since first intervening in the matter in April 2024.

The case is currently awaiting a decision from the body that reviews planning deviations and, subsequently, the cabinet. The Ecologists remain concerned that the unauthorized works might be retroactively legalized, despite clear opposition from state departments and evidence of non-compliance with environmental legislation.