Elliniko beaches to be cemented

The popular tactic of trying to legislate without informing anyone has been adopted once again by Environment Minister Giorgos Papakonstantinou, bringing changes to the bill on the use of the former airport in Elliniko, among which the construction of residential buildings up to 16 meters along the coastal zone is provided for.

This provoked the reaction of PASOK MP and chairman of the parliamentary committee on the Environment, Costas Kartalis, who showed that he was not aware of the minister’s intentions. Specifically Mr. Kartalis, speaking in Parliament, said “Today you have given us an unpleasant surprise, the ability to create a space for a residential area in the coastal zone with a layout factor of 0.6 and 40% coverage. How did this need come about? It seems it is for economic reasons. You have a responsibility to establish how the contractor will be appointed for Elliniko” while he added that “It is a wrong tactic by Elliniko SA, with a known managerial tactic of sending letters of eviction from the Elliniko, without distinguishing which body it is. This horizontal workaround is not right”.

However, among these changes are included:

- Increase in the rate of construction in the coastal front of Aghios Kosmas from 0.2 to 0.25
- Increase in the maximum buildings height from 10 feet to 16
- Possibility of residential use at a rate not exceeding 40% of the total area of the coastal front

In addition, the joint recommendation of Mr. Ernestos Haralampopoulos (PASOK) and Miltiadis Varvitsiotis (ND) of the possibility that the church may install photovoltaic parks on Penteli mountain, an area of 3500 acres, is facing major problems, despite the cross-party character.

The MP stated that the amendment was submitted not only in consultation with the ND rapporteur, but also in cooperation with the government, which must now take a stance on the matter, and added that “The archbishop suggests a large-scale reforestation and then the construction of a photovoltaic park, the benefit of which he will channel to the apostolic work of the church”.

On the other hand, the deputy environment minister noted that “the final say will be had by the ministry. The amendment was submitted by MPs and not the ministry” and announced that “probably, the amendment will not be accepted by the government”.