The Decentralized Administration of Crete has given the “green light” for the development of the €74.35 million investment project initiated by Rethymniotiki Touvlopoiia S.A. in Agios Nikolaos, Crete, by approving the project’s relevant environmental conditions.
This decision essentially constitutes the most significant licensing milestone for the implementation of the complex project, which involves the construction of a 5-star hotel to be developed in the Arigianes or Limni area of the Vroucha municipal community.
The environmental permit was issued following the positive opinion of the Regional Council for Environmental Permitting (PESPA), which approved the Environmental Impact Study, subject to a positive recommendation from the Water Directorate of the Decentralized Administration of Crete. The latter also issued a conditional positive opinion, paving the way for the issuance of the Environmental Terms Approval Decision (ETAD).
It should be noted that during the consultation process, citizens had filed objections regarding the ownership status of one of the three properties comprising the area where the investment is planned.
According to the reasoning behind the decision, the matter was examined by the legal services of the Decentralized Administration, and no evidence emerged that could suspend the licensing process, as all the required supporting documents and contracts substantiating the ownership of RethymniotikiTouvlopoiia S.A.
It was also clarified that issues of title to the property are not examined in the environmental permitting process.
In any case, upon completion of this process, the project enters the next phase of development, which includes the issuance of the remaining permits and preparations for the commencement of construction work.
The Conditions
According to the EIA, a series of strict environmental and operational conditions are imposed. Among the key requirementsis the mandatory operation of a wastewater treatment plant (WWTP), with the reused treated water used to irrigate approximately 24 acres of green space.
At the same time, the creation of a disposal field for excess treated wastewater within the site, as initially proposed in the Environmental Impact Study, was not approved. Excess effluent, as well as any untreated wastewater in the event of a plant malfunction, must be collected by the Agios Nikolaos Water Supply and Sewerage Authority (DEYA).
Particular emphasis is placed, among other things, on the operation of the desalination plant. The decision stipulates that if the brine produced exhibits characteristics that exceed those of the marine environment, this disposal method must be suspended and alternative solutions sought.
Solid waste from the hotel is to be collected through the municipal waste collection and recycling system, while special management is required for electrical and electronic equipment and other specific waste streams.
Finally, as noted, among other things, in the decision, the project is located outside Natura 2000 areas, outside forested areas, and outside archaeological zones, a fact that was a key prerequisite for the environmental approval of the investment.
The Plan
According to the plan, the project envisages the development of a 5-star hotel complex with a total of 159 rooms and 374 beds. The complex will be built on an area of over 71 acres, resulting from the urban consolidation of three properties.
The hotel complex will consist of 31 guest room buildings, a central reception and hospitality building, restaurants, wellness facilities, an indoor pool, conference spaces, a retail store, and a beach bar. The design also includes a second à la carte restaurant, as well as significant outdoor recreational facilities.
The total floor area of the complex is 8,876.5 square meters, and the total site area is approximately 10,108 square meters.
It should be noted that Rethymno Brickworks, whose chairman and CEO is Zacharias Lenakakis, has been active in brick production for over 26 years.