Greece moves to open coast for development

Greece moves to open coast for development

Environmentalists oppose the new measures, citing the need to preserve beaches and the public's right to access to the coast.

Citizen groups are mounting opposition to government plans to allow development on Greece's coastline, saying it is more important to protect the environment there.

The government introduced a bill that will facilitate permanent construction on beaches for commercial purposes, while making it possible for businesses to pay fines to legalise unlicensed construction.

The bill also lifts restrictions on the areas designated for beach concessions -- bars, umbrellas and sun loungers -- preventing the public from having unhindered access to the coast.

The government is trying to draw investors to Greece and use as much public property as possible to secure money for the budget, said to Antonis Klapsis, head of research for the Konstandinos Karamanlis Institute for Democracy in Athens.

"There is no other way to have economic growth in Greece unless money is put in the real market and, even better, if we can attract funds from abroad. All the necessary measures in order to protect the environment will be taken," Klapsis told SETimes.

But critics said the government measure will destroy Greece's most prized possessions -- its beaches.

"Enough is enough. The coastal bill must be withdrawn without a second thought," the Greenpeace branch in Athens said in a statement.

Greenpeace also said preserving the shoreline is a key for tourism, the country's biggest industry. "That should be the government's aim in order to improve the national economy," the organisation said.

Greece's development ministry said the measure will...