Blots on the landscape

Sir,
I wonder whether any of your readers can explain the regulations for erecting advertising hoardings in Cyprus?

In recent months, a large number of huge signs have gone up alongside the motorway to Paphos. I believe that these disfigure the landscape and create an impression of ugly commercialism.
There are also new hoardings along the approaches to the airports. At the exit from the airport road in Paphos, for example, visitors and tourists are now faced with such a barrage of signs that you can barely see the hills and countryside beyond. There are also now signs advertising signs!
In Europe, there is a policy of reducing the worst of roadside advertising, but here we are going in the opposite direction.

Are there planning rules? Do they need permission to put these up? If so, who is giving permission? If they are going up without permission, let’s see the government or someone, take action.

Whatever the answers, it is surely time to ensure that our environment is preserved from such ugliness?

Geoff Cosson,
Paphos

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