Sea lion park put on hold, for now

By Annette Chrysostomou

THE department of the environment, as well as the town planning and housing department have decided that for the time being, there will be no sea lion theme park in Paralimni and initially rejected an application for the creation of such a park. However, if interested parties wish to proceed with the project, they can apply again but have to make adjustments. The changes have to address concerns that both departments have raised.

According to Politis newspaper, the department of the environment is looking for additional information. Among others, a comprehensive study on water needs is required. Details about the quality and quantity of waste and ways of waste disposal also have to be supplied. A master plan is needed, describing all buildings and their operation. A study should also include expected noise levels.

The town planning and housing department is concerned with the size of the parking area, the pools, and additional spaces which are planned.

The original application which was turned down proposed to use a large space in an area already built-up with houses, hotels and other buildings.

Decisions on another theme park, which has the intention to house crocodiles, are also still pending.

Alexis Yiangou from the town planning and housing department told the Cyprus Mail on Monday that another meeting on the subject will be held on October 5, but it is not certain when a decision will be made.

A joint Israeli-Cyprus venture has been seeking permission to set up this crocodile park off the Nicosia-Limassol highway near the Choirokitia exit, but was initially refused before submitting a modified application this year.

The Cyprus Mail is the only English-language daily newspaper published in Cyprus. It was established in 1945 and today, with its popular and widely-read website, the Cyprus Mail is among the most trusted news sites in Cyprus. The newspaper is not affiliated with any political parties and has always striven to maintain its independence. Over the past 70-plus years, the Cyprus Mail, with a small dedicated team, has covered momentous events in Cyprus’ modern history, chronicling the last gasps of British colonial rule, Cyprus’ truncated independence, the coup and Turkish invasion, and the decades of negotiations to stitch the divided island back together, plus a myriad of scandals, murders, and human interests stories that capture the island and its -people. Observers describe it as politically conservative.