LIMASSOL residents were up in arms yesterday over plans by the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO) to construct new facilities in the area known as Dhasoudi – a wooded stretch on the coast of Yermasoyia.
Residents are planning a protest today at 12pm, against what they see as plans to destroy the area used by hundreds of Limassolians for many years as an escape to nature.
The CTO, which leases the area from the forestry department, denied the charges, saying that its sole aim is to improve the public services with strict respect of the environment.
The organisation said claims that its plans were against the preservation of the natural environment in the area were “unfortunate, to say the least.”
In a statement issued yesterday, the CTO said the buildings in the area date back to the 1980s “and the need to refurbish them is immediate and imperative.”
The CTO stressed that the aim was to improve facilities, with similar projects planned for Larnaca, Petra tou Romiou and the Baths of Aphrodite.
The CTO said it has agreed for the manager of the facilities to undertake projects worth at least €2.5 million in the area.
According to Environment Commissioner Charalambos Theopemptou, the plans concern four projects: reconstruction of the existing parking lot and restaurant and – the most contentious ones — construction of a two-storey reception hall, “which can even operate as a club,” and a three-level parking facility.
“These things do not fit in at the place we call Dhasoudi,” Theopemptou told the Cyprus Mail.
It is understood however that the forestry department has so far not given its permission for the construction of the hall and the three-storey parking facility.
Local residents who oppose the plans have organised themselves into a group on social networking site Facebook, urging people to join them to stop the development.
Called SOS, save Dhasoudi from the plans of the CTO, the group had around 2,750 members yesterday.
“Some want to exploit the area for reception halls and parking as if there are not enough concrete buildings around us,” read the group’s description.
One member said: “Enough to their discussions and decisions without asking us. Let us show them on Saturday (today) that we have the power.”
