Cyprus discusses site for central prison — Cyprus Mail
The Cypriot government has faced resistance from local communities while searching for a site to build a new central prison. The first proposed location was Mathiatis, but residents of the area opposed the project. A few days later, the government announced its intention to locate the facility in the Agios Sozomenos area within the South Nicosia-Idalion municipality.
As Cyprus Mail reports, the Mathiatis historical and natural heritage protection group called the initial plan unacceptable for an environmentally and culturally sensitive area. Representatives of the group also cited archaeological, urban planning and other planning grounds for their objections.
Municipal objections
The new option was also not supported by local authorities. The mayors of South Nicosia-Idalion and Latsia-Yeri said they learned about the government’s plan from news websites and had not been involved in discussions beforehand.
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South Nicosia-Idalion Mayor Stavros Hadjiyiannis said on Politis radio that the Agios Sozomenos area is designated for livestock farming. According to him, biological treatment plants, wastewater reservoirs, pig farms and a manure storage site are already located nearby. He expressed concerns about air quality for future prisoners and noted that residents of the area were dissatisfied with the proposal.
Demand for consultations
According to Hadjiyiannis, the mayors of the two municipalities wrote to the President of Cyprus requesting a meeting and demanding the immediate cancellation of the decision. In an editorial column, Cyprus Mail noted that the authorities should have consulted communities before announcing the final site and discussed possible infrastructure incentives, including improvements to the area’s congested road network.
