A recent ruling by the French Supreme Court on complaints about noise and odours from animals in rural areas has attracted public attention and can be compared to some cases in Cyprus. The court heard a complaint from citizens who had come from cities and bought residential property in the countryside, who claimed that the noise and odours from local residents’ pets made their lives uncomfortable. However, the court ruled in favour of the local authorities, stating that such inconveniences were part of life in the countryside and should have been foreseeable to the new residents.
There are also rural areas in Cyprus where animal noise causes residents to become dissatisfied. In addition, various religious services are broadcast over loudspeakers without control, and other events that may create noise include the Easter bonfire, fireworks and the continuous use of bells.
Traditions related to religion are a sensitive issue ingrained in Cypriot culture, while keeping animals in residential areas is to some extent regulated by Cypriot legislation, which determines the types and numbers of animals permitted.
The French court’s decision to require that existing conditions be taken into account before purchasing residential property draws parallels with the situation in Cyprus, where industrial areas are often located next to residential areas. In such cases, industrial facilities often existed before residential areas appeared nearby. However, in most cases, it is the businesses themselves that are responsible for reducing noise levels and other nuisances, even moving production. Such moves are usually accompanied by compensation from the state.
The main reason for such situations is the lack of thoughtfulness in urban planning . Local residents and municipal authorities often seek to convert agricultural zones into residential and industrial zones, which leads to incompatible zones adjacent to each other . An example is the Dali district, where the situation with urban conflict is gradually escalating.
Political parties often succumb to pressure from developers and property owners, leading to decisions that run counter to sound planning principles. For example, when approving the 2021 budget, one party set a condition for easing restrictions on the construction of isolated residential properties. Such decisions only exacerbate the problems and create precedents for further complaints.
The rise in residential property prices is also fuelled by the lack of land with infrastructure and access to major roads. There are vast areas in Cyprus that are suitable for construction but remain undeveloped due to lack of access and necessary communications. A solution to this problem is possible through private initiatives to create infrastructure.
Another measure could be to impose a tax on empty land, which would encourage owners to either develop it or sell it. This would increase supply and could help control rising prices. However, the influence of large landowners, including the Church, makes such measures difficult.
The government’s reluctance to implement effective reforms has resulted in the amount of land available for development in Cyprus being three times greater than the amount needed for the population over the next 20 years. As a result, residential property prices remain relatively high. Addressing this issue requires a reconsideration of the approach to urban development, increased zoning controls, and decision-making based on the interests of society rather than political objectives.
