The Government of Cyprus has given the green light to the construction of the largest shopping mall in Limassol, which has caused a strong public outcry and sharp disagreements between local authorities, entrepreneurs and the business community.
Although the Cabinet of Ministers approved the positive conclusion of the Council for the Study of Deviations, the mayors of the region claim that their opinion was ignored, and they learned the fateful decision from the press, not from official notifications. The main concerns are related to the fact that the new retail space could bring down the already overloaded transport network and finally undermine the positions of small independent stores.
The epicenter of the conflict was the already busy highway – Agios Athanasios Avenue, where the construction of this retail giant is planned between the Jumbo and Kotsovolos hypermarkets. Local municipalities are sounding the alarm, predicting a collapse on the roads, because the flow of cars heading to the new mall will inevitably create multi-kilometer traffic jams. In response, the Government is linking the permit with an ambitious road infrastructure modernization plan that includes widening the roadway to three lanes, building two new roundabouts and creating a direct link to the coastal highway. The plans also include the construction of bike paths and areas with comfortable pedestrian access, but the timing of these projects remains vague.
In addition to transportation problems, the Limassol business community is worried about the economic future of the city. Representatives of trade associations and local authorities fear that the concentration of large network giants in one place will deal a crushing blow to small and medium-sized enterprises. Given the current increase in operating costs, high inflation and changing consumer habits, many small stores simply cannot compete with the new center.
The Municipality of Amathus has already stated its fundamental disagreement with this development, insisting that such large-scale projects cannot be launched without completing preparatory infrastructure work and a broad public dialogue. Opposition parties, in particular AKEL, also criticized the decision of the authorities, calling it a threat to sustainable urban development.
Despite the approval received, the project is not yet a finish line. The final word remains with the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, which will have to approve the final architectural and planning decisions. Moreover, local authorities do not exclude the possibility of lawsuits and administrative protests, stating that they will defend their rights by all legal means. Thus, Limassol found itself in the epicenter of an urban development dispute, where the interests of large capital, the comfort of residents and the survival of the local market are at stake.
A source: lemesosblog.com
https://cyprusbutterfly.com.cy/news/stroitelstvo-novogo-molla-limassole-vyizvala
