Joint committee bans high-rise developments

A LONG-awaited Town and Zoning Plan for Girne and Çatalköy municipalities, outlawing the biggest high-rise development, has been passed.

Changes to the Karpaz Decree are also to be announced in the Official

Gazette next week following a Cabinet decision.

A joint committee including Girne Mayor Nidai Güngördü, Çatalköy Mayor Mehmet Hulusioğlu, Town Planning Department Head Türkmen Yığıtcan and officials from the Girne District Office met yesterday, passing the new regulations by a majority vote.

Mr Güngördü said: “My main priority was always to get rid of the Girne Decree and replace it with proper legislation which cannot be altered. The municipality council have agreed and I am proud that we have struggled to succeed. It should have been done 27 years ago.

“We have made history here today and it was not easy as the present government had a different agenda.”

Mr Güngördü explained: “There will be no more permits for 10- or seven-storey development. Only four or five floors will be allowed. Our two tourism towns have fulfilled their obligations to future generations.”

Mr Hulusioğlu added: “Our town council voted in favour, although certain sensitive issues may require another look and some revision. Nevertheless I thank all officials. This heralds the rebirth

and reconstruction of the country.”

However Girne District Officer Mustafa Erişmen, whose office had submitted written objections to the plan, voted against it as “an injustice to some areas”. Planning official Ali Aremek read out the objections to the closed meeting but no details were available yesterday. He added that the plan was a model for all areas still struggling to achieve firm legislation. Town Planning head Türkmen Yığıtcan added: “Thanks to Girne Municipality’s determination and despite intense pressure for cheap profits in the property sector, our 23 months of work represent a major achievement.”

Tourism and Environment Minister Fikri Ataoğlu told Cyprus Today yesterday: “We have completed our work on changes to the Karpaz Decree and it has been passed to the Prime Ministry for Cabinet approval.” Officials were tight lipped as to the Karpaz changes but stressed that they would be “appropriate” for the region. Opposition politicians have already called for a Dipkarpaz Municipality Town and Zoning Plan.