Cyprus court considers request to halt construction of asphalt plant in Mitsero — Cyprus Mail

In Cyprus, residents of the village of Mitsero and seven neighboring communities held a demonstration outside the Supreme Court, which was considering their request to temporarily halt work on the construction of an asphalt plant. The court reserved its decision on the interim ban on work and scheduled a hearing on the appeal against the plant’s planning permit for October 5, Cyprus Mail reports.

Request to halt work

The court considered an application through which residents seek to secure a temporary suspension of all work at the site while a separate appeal concerning the planning permit is being considered. That appeal was filed with the Court of Appeal.

The residents’ lawyer, Natasa Iakovou, said their position is based on the constitution, European Union law and the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union. According to her, a temporary halt to work is necessary in environmental cases.

Iakovou noted that implementation of the challenged project has already begun, although the court proceedings are ongoing. She also said that the environmental impact assessment contains references to leaks of hazardous substances, noise, vibrations and odors.

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The state’s position and the protest

State representative Theodora Piperi Christodoulou said that, in the government’s view, the application to halt the work has no procedural or legal grounds. According to her, the applicants did not seek suspension of the court decision, although they had procedural opportunities to do so.

Christodoulou added that work in Mitsero is being carried out legally on the basis of the issued planning permit. Residents of Agrokipia, Arediou, Agios Ioannis, Kato Moni, Malounta, Meniko, Mitsero and Orounta took part in the protest.

Agrokipia community leader Sotiris Kyriacou said that the start of work at the site had intensified the anger of local residents, who intend to continue fighting against the project. Meniko community representative Andreas Kalogirou said that the appearance of asphalt in the region would become a “tombstone” for him.