Building permits outside Mykonos town plan halted

Among the debated amendments of an Environment Ministry multi-bill on Monday was one for the suspension of building permits in areas outside town planning on the popular tourist island of Mykonos until the end of the year.

Exceptions are the issuance of small-scale permits, projects under the Special Spatial Development Plan of Strategic Investments (ESCHASE) and the revision of building permits (but without a building coefficient increase).

The explanatory memorandum says the suspension is due to the preparation of a special urban plan on the island. Critics say that would make sense if a similar argument applied to Santorini and Elafonisos, where urban plans are also being drafted. 

The amendment is among 14 in the bill, which also sees seismic inspections for buildings, the resolution of property disputes around monasteries, and also grapples with the issue...