Apostolos Tomaras
A brewing scandal in Latchi has exposed significant irregularities in the construction of a tourism project, placing local authorities and developers under scrutiny. The controversy centers around a tourist unit being built in an environmentally sensitive area, where construction appears to have defied zoning laws and disregarded planning permissions.
The project in question, located on the site of the former Elia Latchi Holiday Village—renamed Zening Hotel Eco Resort—has faced repeated allegations of illegal construction practices since work began in 2023. The Paphos Planning Authority and the Municipality of Polis Chrysochous are now grappling with accusations of enabling these irregularities, with some officials hinting at collusion and threatening legal action.
Breaking the Rules
From the start, the developer, an Israeli-owned entity, began construction without securing the necessary permits. An application submitted after work had already begun sought approval for two-story tourist apartments, but construction on a third story proceeded regardless. Adding to the concerns, the project was located in a zone where hotel construction was explicitly prohibited at the time.
A permit for tourist apartments was eventually issued in December 2023—two months after construction started—but the developer immediately filed a new application to expand the project into a hotel with three stories, a water park, and other additions. This move blatantly ignored the local planning zone regulations and two termination notices issued by the Planning Authority.
The warnings carried legal weight, but the developer disregarded them entirely. Despite promises of enforcement, the Planning Authority failed to follow through with legal proceedings, raising questions about the effectiveness of regulatory oversight.
Convenient Timing
Suspicions deepened in July 2024 when a new local plan for Polis Chrysochous was approved, increasing the allowable building density for the area and permitting the construction of a 480-bed hotel. While this change seemed to legitimize part of the developer’s plans, it left unresolved issues, such as the unauthorized water park and green space violations. Some members of the Paphos Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Council referred to the timing of the plan’s amendment as suspicious, accusing authorities of catering to the developer's interests.
Disputes and Delays
The delays in addressing these violations further complicated the issue. A report by the Planning Department, which could have provided a legal basis for action, was left unreviewed by the Legal Department. By the time the file was examined, licensing authority had shifted to newly formed local government bodies under recent reforms. These bodies now face accusations of inaction and ineffective enforcement.
Despite repeated warnings from the Paphos EOA (Provincial Self-Government Organization), work on the illegal third floor quietly resumed. Just weeks ago, a proposal to approve the third-floor construction was submitted to the Paphos EIA Council. The meeting turned heated, with Paphos Mayor Phaedon Phaedonos accusing Polis Chrysochous Mayor Yiotis Papachristofis of covering up illegal activities. The file submitted for the permit was deemed incomplete, stalling any decision.
A Pattern of Illegalities
This case is not an isolated incident in the area. Similar violations have occurred in the past, with some projects forced to halt or even face demolition. In one notable 2017 case, a three-story building constructed without permits was ultimately denied approval and demolished. However, critics argue that the lack of consistent enforcement undermines efforts to uphold planning laws and protect sensitive areas like Latchi.
What’s Next?
The fate of the controversial tourist unit now rests on whether the Paphos EIA Council will approve the permit for the third floor. If approved, the decision could set a troubling precedent for developers to bypass regulations with impunity. Opponents of the project have vowed to take the matter to court, raising the stakes for local authorities accused of failing to protect the public interest.
For now, the scandal continues to unfold, leaving questions about transparency, accountability, and the future of sustainable development in one of Cyprus’s most picturesque regions.
*This article was translated from its Greek original
