Istanbul green area zoned for construction sold amid objections

A 30,000-square-meter green area by the sea in Istanbul's coastal Büyükçekmece district, known as Albatros Park, has been sold to two companies that bid through a joint venture in a tender on April 11. 

According to a report in daily Habertürk, the park area was sold for 163 million liras (about USD $45 million) to the Demir İnşaat and SQY Investment Group.

The Istanbul municipal council, made up of members of both the Republican People's Party (CHP) and the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), approved the decision to open the park to construction in June 2016.

The decision met with criticism and protests from Büyükçekmece residents and rights groups at the time.

Only three council members - Hüseyin Sağ, Esin Hacıalioğlu and Ferhat Epözdemir from the CHP - voted against the controversial plan.