Apostolos Tomaras
The Paphos Provincial Self-Government Organization (EOA) has filed a lawsuit to stop illegal construction at a tourist apartment complex in Latchi. After repeated warnings to cease work without permits went unheeded, the planning authority has asked the courts to issue a demolition order for the unauthorized structures.
"In this country, we need to learn to build after securing permits. Some people, however, have learned to do as they please through interference,” -Paphos Mayor Phaedonos
The decision to pursue legal action came after the EOA confirmed that construction continued despite multiple notices to halt the project. This marks the third official notice sent by the EOA since the development began.
The Development's Troubled History
The project is located on the former site of the Elia Latchi Holiday Village, later renamed the Zening Hotel Eco Resort. In early 2023, the owner began constructing a new complex without securing the required permits. While an application for a two-story tourist apartment project was eventually submitted, construction had already started and continued unabated. The permit for this initial phase wasn’t issued until December 2023—two months after work began.
Soon after receiving approval for the tourist apartments, the owner submitted a new application for a hotel, a water park, and additional floors. While this application was still pending, work began on a third floor, directly violating the initial permit. The Planning Authority issued two termination notices—one before the first permit was granted and another in May 2024—but both were ignored.
Renewed Efforts to Halt Construction
After the warnings from the Paphos EOA last summer, the whole matter fell into abeyance with work initially halting.
Although construction paused briefly following warnings from the Paphos EOA last summer, reports surfaced that work on the illegal third floor had resumed in secret. Just weeks ago, a proposal was submitted to the Paphos EOA Council requesting retroactive approval for the third floor, sparking a heated debate.
At the council meeting, Paphos Mayor Phaedon Phaedonos clashed with Polis Chrysochous Mayor Yiotis Papachristofis, accusing local authorities of enabling illegal construction. Phaedonos alleged that the permit file was incomplete and that some officials were complicit in allowing the violations to continue.
Mayor's Strong Words
Speaking to the media, Mayor Phaedonos expressed frustration with the situation. “In this country, we need to learn to build after securing permits. Some people, however, have learned to do as they please through interference,” he said. He criticized those who used “backdoor methods” to maintain the illegality and vowed that their actions would eventually be exposed.
The EOA’s legal action signals a firm stance against unauthorized development in a sensitive area of natural beauty. As the case moves to the courts, attention now turns to whether authorities can enforce compliance or if this will become another example of unchecked development in Cyprus.
