11.12.2022
The introduction of accelerated planning and building permits, whereby permits are now issued in certain sectors for a maximum of 20 days, is one of the most important achievements of the government, Interior Minister Nikos Nouris said at the 30th Annual General Meeting of the Association of Civil Engineers of Cyprus (SPOLMIK) in Nicosia.
He stated that it is “a tool with which we have been able to move the cumbersome machines of bureaucracy, as well as the fight against corruption, simplifying the procedures applied in practice, as well as introducing e-government.”
In his speech, he said that over the past three years, as any objective observer can see, we as a government have accelerated the implementation of policies and reforms, having managed to create a more sustainable development model. This is confirmed by figures, projects and various indicators. According to him, the highest goal is always the optimal service to citizens.
Already, the results of this reform are more than encouraging: by October 2022, more than 4,500 applications for building up to two residential units on a used site or a site under construction were processed.
Considering this positive development, as of September 15, 2022, we have extended the Fast Licensing scope to larger developments of up to 12 residential units, as well as to multi-family buildings up to 20 units, as well as to mixed commercial, office or even residential developments up to 1000 sq . .m ., reported the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
Mr Nouris said the aim of these reforms is to complete them by the end of the current administration’s term. And this will be realized with the adoption by Parliament of the draft law “On the simplification of the law on strategic developments”, which concerns the licensing of developments worth more than 20 million euros. Unfortunately, Parliament has not completed the vote, but it is expected to be done next March, he said.
Noting that the country’s growth rate is among the highest in the EU, he said that this is the result of a holistic approach to urban and building planning, as well as the preparation of targeted plans with generous urban planning incentives.
One of these is the Scheme for the Legalization and Licensing of Unauthorized and New Constructions in Approved Developments, which contained minor but manageable violations. He also noted that the Ministry of the Interior recently issued a general decree that no longer requires a building permit for photovoltaic systems in existing buildings.
Regarding the issue of dangerous buildings, he said that in cooperation with ETEK, a relevant bill was prepared, “by which we amend the Regulation and Buildings Act, giving, among other things, tools to the competent authorities to effectively deal with dangerous buildings.” At the same time, the subsidy increased from 5,000 to 20,000 euros. In addition, the introduction of regular inspection of buildings, according to the MoT, as a preventive measure, as well as the procedure for imposing sanctions by the competent authorities, is being promoted.
With these measures, we are confident that both in the short and long term we will achieve the expected changes, both in support and in the aesthetics of our cities and villages, which must be implemented,” said the Minister of the Interior.
In the field of protection of architectural and cultural heritage, he said that since October, a package of measures has been in place to strengthen the restoration of architectural monuments with an increase in benefits and grants to such an extent that the plan is the most generous among all EU member states. The benefits also cover 50% of the cost of maintaining and restoring the buildings, increasing the amount of direct sponsorship from 90,000 euros, which has been in effect so far, to 100,000 euros.
Referring to the action plan for the rebirth of Nicosia within the walls, he said that the Ministry of the Interior, with the assistance of the Department of Urban Planning and Housing, has prepared a set of actions that, among other things, includes two sponsorship plans.
He also said that one of the main problems is the impossibility of solving problems in a large number of houses that are part of separate buildings or complexes, due to the unwillingness of the co-owners to sign the corresponding statement on the legalization of violations.
According to the Ministry of the Interior, two bills have been prepared and are already in Parliament that amend the Real Estate Law and the Urban Development and Spatial Planning Law to make this possible for the homeowner . in a single development of a residential complex, in order to now be able to apply for urban planning to add transformations in the part that is the exclusive right to use his residence.
Thus, it will be possible to modernize its title deed without requiring the prior written consent of 100% of the owners of a single development, Mr. Nouris said .
