Five mayors from the northern suburbs are taking on the government head-on, sending a joint ultimatum to the prime minister calling for the immediate withdrawal of the plan to transfer development rights.
The heads of the municipalities of Lykovrysi–Pefki, Nea Ionia, Papagou–Cholargos, Filothei–Psychiko and Chalandri have made clear they will not accept any change to the character of their cities, and have even warned they may take legal action.
The full text of the joint letter from the five mayors follows:
“With this joint letter, we express our categorical and unequivocal opposition to the plan of the Ministry of Environment and Energy, as set out in the Strategic Environmental Impact Assessment (SEA) for the designation of Development Rights Receiving Zones (Z.Y.S.) in our municipalities.
Our cities, characterised by low-rise development, open spaces and a distinctive urban character, face the immediate threat of irreversible decline. The proposed transfer of additional development rights will inevitably lead to the construction of large, multi-storey buildings, placing severe pressure on our already strained infrastructure (networks, traffic and parking) and changing the character of our suburbs.
Shortcomings in the study
The study has serious shortcomings, as it:
1. Is not based on any substantive scientific or local evidence regarding the capacity of our networks and infrastructure.
2. Blatantly ignores the real needs of local communities and the views of elected local government bodies.
3. Promotes haphazard overbuilding at the expense of our residents’ quality of life.
We state unequivocally that our municipalities do not need “behemoths”. They need more green space, open spaces and protection against the climate crisis.
For these reasons, we call on you:
- To withdraw the relevant study from public consultation immediately.
- To freeze all procedures relating to Development Rights Receiving Zones in our areas.
- To begin an honest dialogue with local government from the ground up.
Otherwise, we are determined to pursue every lawful remedy and every means of legal and collective action, taking our case to the Council of State and the courts in order to protect the future of our cities and our residents’ right to a sustainable environment.”
The mayors:
- Marios Psychalis (Mayor of Lykovrysi–Pefki)
- Panagiotis Manouris (Mayor of Nea Ionia)
- Charalambos Skoutis (Mayor of Papagou–Cholargos)
- Charalambos Bonatsos (Mayor of Filothei–Psychiko)
- Symeon Roussos (Mayor of Chalandri)