Resisting overbuilding and overtourism

Ελληνικά | Français

Resisting overbuilding and overtourism : let’s support the citizen actions that are leading this fight

Paros faces a major threat from insufficiently regulated and controlled construction. While some problems can be resolved over time, the damage caused by uncontrolled construction is irreversible. If this trend continues, Paros risks rapidly losing its unique Cycladic landscape and identity.

This situation is a matter of urgent concern for sustainable tourism experts and the citizens’ movement. The living conditions of both residents and visitors are in danger of deteriorating. This is why the citizens of Paros are today more sensitive to protest against this degradation.

Building permits on Paros are often issued in a relatively permissive manner, and independent checks seem to fail most of the time.

Legal action concerning the issuing of permits for certain projects may in some cases prove to be the only effective avenue left to citizens concerned about the negative impacts of overbuilding. When successful, legal action can set a legal precedent for other projects and serve as a warning to permit issuers that they are under scrutiny. This approach is also justified by the fact that the competent authorities and departments find it difficult to stop or slow down the issuing of permits, as they are not sufficiently attentive to the negative environmental consequences of certain construction projects. As a result, citizen-initiated actions offer one possible way of putting the brakes on the forward march of construction.

For example, we recently heard of a situation in which a group of citizens decided to take legal action to invalidate a building permit.

Four key arguments, which could also set a precedent for future cases, are put forward here:

• The Council of State’s decision requiring legal road access for a plot of land to be constructible.
• The case of cave houses outside the city plan.
• The destruction of dry stone constructions.
• The construction of swimming pools disguised as ‘water features’.

The Friends of Paros and Antiparos support this type of action. Our association is prepared to make a contribution to help the plaintiffs.

Paying your annual contribution, or even more, to the Friends of Paros would facilitate this type of help.

Our association would also approach the local authorities and public services in charge to ask them to play a more active role in this.

We will keep you informed of further developments.

The Board of Directors of the Friends of Paros and Antiparos