WORK TO turn a Nicosia building located in the middle of a residential zone into a police station has been going on for three weeks – despite the owner of the building not having secured the relevant permits.
The building is a two-floor structure on Ambelokipon Street in Strovolos and was initially built to house apartments. It sits in the middle of a quiet, traffic-free neighbourhood. Some residents fear this atmosphere would be destroyed by the arrival of the police station.
The residents have written several letters to the President, the Justice Minister and the Ombudswoman complaining about the situation.
They listed their concerns but also pointed out that the building was in a housing estate and that no permit – required under town planning legislation – had been secured to change its use.
This was confirmed yesterday by a town-planning official who told the Cyprus Mail that the application for change of use had only been filed last week – Wednesday, July 28.
Work to make the building suitable for a police station has been going on for at least three weeks, residents said.
The town-planning official was clear on this: “Before permission to change the use, no alterations should be made to the building.
“It is illegal,” he said.
Despite this, it is understood that the police went ahead and signed the contracts with the owner quite some time ago.
According to a police source, if the deal falls through taxpayers would have to shell out around £30,000 for the changes and loss of rent to the owner, as the force is legally bound to do so.
The rent paid by the state would be approximately £1,500 per month.
The source assured that the police would do everything by the book and even went ahead to ask for a ruling from the Attorney-general.
The police station would only handle small cases, receive complaints and patrol the area, the source said.
It would not have any cells to keep prisoners, he added.
It would be manned by five to seven officers in the day time and two to three at night.
Residents are concerned that the station would create more traffic and disturbance in their peaceful neighbourhood.
They rejected claims that the majority of residents wanted the station to be located there, adding that most of the homes in the station’s immediate vicinity opposed the plan.
The issue started when the police were forced leave their current location, the old town hall, in the heart of Strovolos.
The municipality had agreed for them to temporarily occupy the building but now it is required for use.
Strovolos Mayor Savvas Eliofotou was unavailable for comment yesterday.
