COLLAPSING BUILDINGS AT THE ENTRANCE TO KAMARES
Following the item in the newsletter, I understand that there is still concern amongst Kamares residents and whilst I share those concerns I can assure you that there is no immediate danger of the building collapsing.
The property and the road in front of it are the responsibility of the District Office in Paphos. After pressure from myself and members of Tala Council, the District Office have pursued legal action against the developer. At the fourth visit to the court at the end of December, a demolition order resulted, with the developer given 3 months to demolish the buildings and clear the site. Before any demolition can take place, the developer has to submit his plans for the procedure and obtain the necessary permits. Should he fail to comply with the Court Order, then the District Office will have to return to the Court. The estimated cost of demolishing the structure, clearing and returning the site to a natural state is around €200,000.
With regard to the road, there are undulations where there has been some movement given the weight of the construction, terrain, clay soil and a natural spring in the area. Again, the experts assure us that the road is safe to use and that if there is any anticipated danger to users it will be closed.
Please also bear in mind that this site is private property. Any ingress is at your own risk and could lead to prosecution by the owner for trespass.
The property and the road in front of it are the responsibility of the District Office in Paphos. After pressure from myself and members of Tala Council, the District Office have pursued legal action against the developer. At the fourth visit to the court at the end of December, a demolition order resulted, with the developer given 3 months to demolish the buildings and clear the site. Before any demolition can take place, the developer has to submit his plans for the procedure and obtain the necessary permits. Should he fail to comply with the Court Order, then the District Office will have to return to the Court. The estimated cost of demolishing the structure, clearing and returning the site to a natural state is around €200,000.
Engineers from the District Office regularly inspect the property and the road. They deem both safe and have assured Tala Council that if this situation changes, immediate steps will be taken to close the road.
The electricity poles were moved to the opposite side of the road as these were in danger of falling across the road. With regard to the building, due to the construction and terrain, whilst there is deterioration, expert opinion says that the structure will eventually slip down the hillside. However, whilst there is movement and deterioration in the structure, we have been assured that there is no immediate danger to anyone. Further we have been advised by the engineers that before the building slides down the hillside there will be warning signs. With regard to the road, there are undulations where there has been some movement given the weight of the construction, terrain, clay soil and a natural spring in the area. Again, the experts assure us that the road is safe to use and that if there is any anticipated danger to users it will be closed.
Please also bear in mind that this site is private property. Any ingress is at your own risk and could lead to prosecution by the owner for trespass.
I have regular meetings myself with the District Officer responsible for the Paphos area and this matter is on the agenda at each of our meetings. In the meantime, the matter is the subject of legal proceedings and these have to take their course. I will keep you advised as and when there is any news or any changes that you need to be made aware of. In the meantime, I am assured by fully qualified, experienced engineers that the road remains safe for use.
Areti Pieridou
8 February 2016