Audit office criticizes failure to enforce regulations on Nicosia banquet hall

A new memorandum from the Cyprus Audit Office, published on November 13, 2026, highlights persistent failures by state authorities to enforce planning and building regulations at a banquet and music hall in the Nicosia district. The facility has been operating in violation of essential permit terms since construction began eight years ago, despite multiple public findings and a special report issued in April 2025. Auditor General Andreas Papaconstantinou characterized the situation as a critical test of the state’s ability to uphold the rule of law, noting that sending enforcement notices has proven ineffective without subsequent legal or administrative action.

Since 2018, the venue owners have submitted six separate planning applications. The facility, known as Prince Luxury Events in Lympia, initially proceeded with construction despite a court-issued suspension order. Although the Council of Ministers rejected various applications in 2019 and beyond, the building was completed in 2020 and continues to operate without a final approval certificate. The Audit Office criticized the ongoing practice of retrospective legalization, which allows developers to bypass legal requirements. Currently, despite the identified illegalities and the withdrawal of previous court cases, the state has failed to restore compliance, leaving the venue to operate while health and safety concerns remain unaddressed.