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Divisive Greek coastal development plan sparks uproarGreece's plan to allow more construction and business activity along its vast Mediterranean coastline to boost its economy has sparked uproar in a country whose pristine beaches attract millions of tourists each year.Greece's long coastline remains less developed than that of some Southern Europe countries, such as Spain. The draft bill would speed up getting permits for beachside hotels and ease restrictions on setting up umbrellas, drink stands and sunbeds.Prime Minister Antonis Samaras's government says that will cut red tape and encourage investors as Greece slowly emerges from its worst post-World War Two economic crisis. Construction has been one of the areas hardest-hit, with figures released on Monday showing building volumes declined 5.9 percent in February - and that was an improvementBut the plan has run into a firestorm of protests in recent weeks. Environmental activists, labor unions and even some lawmakers from the ruling coalition have attacked the plan. They say it would irreversibly damage the coastline and put off tourists in the long run by turning it into a concrete eyesore.It has also touched a nerve among ordinary Greeks in a nation proud of its seafaring roots and idyllic, sun-soaked islands. Thousands have taken to social media websites to vent their anger at the move, flooding websites with photographs of beaches from around the country's thousands of islands.
The government on Tuesday essentially froze a controversial bill designed to lift restrictions on construction along the country’s coastline following vehement protests from across the political spectrum, including objections by junior coalition partner PASOK and environmental protection groups.State Minister Dimitris Stamatis, a close aide to Prime Minister Antonis Samaras, issued a statement declaring that the government would “shape its final position” on the bill after the upcoming local authority and European Parliament elections as the premier wanted public consultation on the draft bill to be “exhaustive.”
Locals and environmental groups are lobbying to block privatisations of the best beaches on the island of Elafonisos, which are protected under the EU Natura 2000 programme
Greek ministers have been warned not to follow Spain’s example by relaxing restrictions on building activity along the country’s coastline because this would have economic as well as environmental consequences.In a letter addressed to Greece’s tourism and finance minister, the head of the environmental group WWF in Spain, Juan Carlos del Olmo, said that 75 percent of the Spanish coastline is built on or slated for construction. He said that this has damaged the country’s tourism prospects.
In a letter addressed to Greece’s tourism and finance minister, the head of the environmental group WWF in Spain, Juan Carlos del Olmo, said that 75 percent of the Spanish coastline is built on or slated for construction. He said that this has damaged the country’s tourism prospects.Seemed Obvious to me, I like a beach with nothing on
Seemed Obvious to me, I like a beach with nothing on
A grassroots campaign is taking off against the proposed privatization and commodification of one of Greece’s last-remaining utopias: its coastline.
The coalition has decided to water down a controversial bill on the use of coastal land and avoid a confrontation with opposition parties, it emerged on Wednesday.The government withdrew the bill earlier this year after environmental groups and thousands of citizens criticized its content and signed petitions to prevent it passing through Parliament. The original legislation foresaw the relaxation of restrictions on construction and commercial activity next to the sea.Following a period of consultation within the the government, it was decided to pare the would-be legislation down to its bare essentials.
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Topic: Constructions on the coast (Read 15698 times)
