Paves the way for development at the former Larnaca refineries
It is only a matter of time before the Seveso directive is terminated from the area of the former refineries in Larnaca, since the procedures for the relocation of LPG companies, which now have a state-of-the-art terminal in Vasilikos, are in the final stage. Maintaining the directive, which places great restrictions and is imposed in areas where there is a high risk of accident, is in fact the last obstacle to the development of the region, in which very large investments are planned.
As the mayor of Larnaca, Andreas Vyras, told "F", the commitment of the companies is that within the next few days they will submit an application for an audit to the Department of Labour Inspection and then the green light will be given for the termination of the Seveso directive. "Our information is that there are some small quantities of LPG left at Intergaz's facilities, which will complete its removal work in the coming days."
Immediately after the termination of the Seveso Directive, the ambitious Area Plan, which was published in August 2020 and should have entered into force in February 2022, can be implemented. This includes public works, which will exceed EUR 100 million. At the same time, permits can also be issued for private developments, since due to the release of a three-kilometer-long coastal front, the interest of investors is very great. The first applications for developments in the area have already been submitted. Israeli investors want to erect two fifteen-storey buildings next to the shipping group, while ambitious plans are being prepared by the Petrolina Group, which owns the lion's share of private land.
All construction projects, however, are expected to be implemented within the framework of a special unified design and imposition of conditions for their implementation during the licensing of the developments, so that the owners of private properties are committed to the vision of unified planning. What is important at the moment, however, is the implementation of the "priority projects" concerning the shielding of the coastal front, the creation of an embankment and the creation of a coastal waterfront (Promenade). A meeting on this issue was held yesterday at the Department of Urban Planning, since in the near future, according to the mayor of Larnaca, the study requested by the Department of Maritime Works will be ready, for the works to be done for the recovery of a large part of the beach.
In the area there is great erosion and for this reason coastal protection works will be carried out, as well as landscaping of the public coastal area, which through the appropriate design will provide, as described in the Area Plan, "the possibility of creating a multifunctional park along the beach, which will be suitable for multiple uses and activities".
Source: Paves the way for development at the former Larnaca refineries (philenews.com)
