For the communities in Phase A of the ongoing zone revision process, in which the Department of Environment will not require an Environmental Study, the publication of the relevant zones could take place before the end of 2025, stated the Director General of the Ministry of the Interior (MOI), Dr. Elikkos Elias, in an interview with “Entrepreneurial Limassol”, responding to a relevant question.
The Director General of the Ministry of the Interior pointed out that if studies are required, publication will be postponed to 2026. He added that for Phase B of the process, the zones will be published accordingly at the end of 2026 or in 2027.
As is well known, the process of Revising and Amending the Town Planning Zones of the Policy Statement is underway. Already, in December 2022, the Review Report of the Minister of the Interior was published, the circular concerning the new process set by the MOI has been prepared, and the proposals of the communities falling under Phase A of the revision have been submitted.
According to information received by “Entrepreneurial Limassol” from the Union of Limassol Communities, the Town Planning Department is evaluating these proposals and is consulting with the relevant departments, by spatial area, in order to prepare for each one an Amendment Report. This report will record the main characteristics and data, as well as the outcome of the relevant consultations.
The task of evaluating the necessary amendments will be carried out by the Town Planning Zone Revision Committee, which is not, however, is not authorized to make decisions. Final decisions will be taken by the Minister of the Interior, based on the Committee’s recommendations.
In order to make its recommendations, the Committee will take into account the Amendment Report and the proposals of the communities falling within the spatial area under review. The Town Planning Zone Revision Committee is chaired by the Director of the Town Planning Department or his representative and includes a representative of the respective District Officer and a representative of the Cyprus Communities Union. For data analysis, the Town Planning Department provides secretarial support, while the District Administration coordinates the process.
On June 16, 2025, in a letter to the District Officers and the President of the Union of Communities, the Town Planning and Housing Department requested information on the appointment of a representative to attend the Committee meetings. Before the appointment, it must be ensured that the representative of each spatial area has no substantial personal interest in the administrative area under review.
The commence of the Committee meetings for the Limassol District is expected in September or, at the latest, October 2025. Initially, the following spatial areas will be examined:
1. IX: Agios Tychonas, Akrounda, Armenochori, Monagroulli, Moni, Mouttagiaka, Parekklisia, Pentakomo, Pyrgos, Foinikaria (Representative of the Union of Limassol Communities: Union President Mr. Lefteris Periklis).
2. X: Agios Thomas, Alektora, Anogyra, Avdimou, Asomatos, Episkopi, Erimi, Kantou, Kolossi, Paramali, Pissouri, Plataniskia, Prasteio Avdimou, Sotira, Trachoni (Representative of the Union: Mr. Lefteris Periklis).
3. VII: Apaisia, Apsiou, Gerasa, Kapeleio, Korfi, Limnatis, Mathikoloni, Palodeia, Paramytha, Spitali, Fasoula (Representative of the Union: Mr. Evgenios Michail).
The meetings to examine the proposals for each spatial area will be held over a full day, with each community leader or representative of the local authority having the opportunity, on the day of the meeting, to briefly present and justify the community’s requests. It is estimated that by the end of 2025, the examination of the proposals will be completed so that, with the approval of the MOI, the revision can be published at the beginning of 2026, starting the four-month period for objections from property owners.
A similar procedure will follow for the communities falling within Phase B of the town planning zone revision.
