OPERATING LICENCE REFUSAL
Pissouri Community Council
Tel: 25 222292, 25 221388
Fax: 25 222459
Date: 02/04/2010
Email: k.s.pissouriou@cyatanet.com.cy
Ref Num PIS/01/03
Dear Pissouri Resident,
Subject: Vine-leaf and proposed Fish and Chips Planning Applications
Over the last four weeks, a number of rumors have been circulated in the village that our Mukhtar is guilty of nepotism and favoritism for covering his family and friends from unauthorized and illegal works, whilst on the other hand, he is accused that he is “chasing” residents who don’t support or belong to his family environment.
All the above are wholly untrue and false. Those people, who are working against the Mukhtar are deliberately and systematically trying to undermine and damage his work, which is evident and recognized by all, by misinforming and misleading people so as to defame his strong and flawless profile. Of course, all these petty actions are clearly politically motivated, (Local Elections are approaching – in about 1.5 years).
After having the following report looked into, you will draw your own conclusions why our Mukhtar is unfairly accused. The REASON IS VERY SIMPLE; SOME PEOPLE LIKE IGNORING VILLAGE COUNCIL REQUESTS NOT TO PERFORM UNAUTHORIZED ACTIVITIES WHICH HAVE A NEGATIVE IMPACT ON BOTH, SOCIETY AND THE NATURAL ENVIRONMENT.
In addition to this, it has to be pointed out that Council decisions in this matter have been UNANIMOUS:
“Over the last few years the Council has been making every effort to ensure that all Pissouri restaurants comply with their operating licences. In 2008 the Council wrote to all the restaurant and tourist businesses down in the Bay area and warned them that they were being given final notice that their businesses must now comply, and they were given time to meet the requirements. In particular, because of their proximity to the beach, all premises have been required to install and operate bio-systems for sewerage.
Every business contacted has now met and conformed to the requirements of their operating licences, except the Vine-leaf Restaurant. The history of the unlawful operation of this restaurant is as follows:
The Vine-leaf was granted a licence for its initial buildings only (kitchen area and the uncovered/outdoor area) in 1983. Since then, it has expanded extensively without any permission to do so. The sequence of events, recorded in Village Council correspondence and Council minutes since then, has been (for Vine-leaf and the proposed fish and chips snack bar) as follows:
• 19th February 2009. The Council wrote to the owners of the Vine-leaf and the proposed Fish and Chip (Snack Bar) instructing them to terminate work on this project. The Council received no response.
• 6th March 2009. The Council wrote to the District Administration requesting legal action to terminate the work, in particular the digging of a pit for drainage from the premises (for the proposed Fish and Chip) which would contravene not only existing regulations but risk dangerous contamination of the sea. Acting under the law to safeguard public health, the Village Office disconnected the water supply to the premises proposed for fish and chips.
• A complaint by a private individual was lodged with the District Administration about the illegal operation of the Vine-leaf Restaurant and the proposed take away shop.
o In the light of the above the Council took the decision not to issue an operating licence for the proposed take-away shop unless it provided evidence to the Council that it was able to comply with all the necessary requirements. The owners were informed of this in a letter dated 15thApril 2009.
• 12th May 2009. The District Administration wrote to the owner of the shop telling him to desist from unauthorised action. This letter was ignored.
• 12th November 2009. The Limassol Planning Department wrote to the Council detailing all the unauthorised work and additions to the Vine-leaf.
• 8th December 2009. The owner of the Vine-leaf was called up to the Council and there was an exchange of views. The Council urged and guided him to comply with the necessary requirements of the licence and to secure his building permits for the unauthorised additions. At the same time the Council confirmed its previous decision not to issue a permit for the take-away shop. Since then, we have received no evidence (planning permit, approved plans etc) of progress on this matter,
• 8th March 2010. The Council confirmed the above decision. A letter to the owners confirmed this.
• 20th March 2010. The Village Council lodged a complaint in Nicosia about the illegal operation of this business. No bio-system has been installed for the Vinelead needs, putting in full danger the fragile jetty zone.
Summing up, we have to highlight the fact that from the 7th April 2009 (a year ago) adequate time has been allowed for the Vine-leaf to meet the necessary legal and operating requirements, but no progress has been made. They are continuing to operate unlawfully. In particular the Vineleaf has been seen repeatedly discharging sewage directly onto the fields behind the restaurant, creating a public health hazard. In 2003 the Vine-leaf and associated buildings were required by the Planning Department’s Rule (500) to install a bio-system, as other businesses have had to do, but it has made no attempt to do so.
All this has taken an inordinate amount of public service work, involving the Ministry of Health, Sanitary Services, District Administration, Environmental Department, the Ministry of the interior, the Cyprus Tourist Office and, of course, the Village Office and Council.
The situation now is that the Vine-leaf is being taken to court for illegal change of use of the premises, failure to comply with planning requirements, and for creating public health risks.
In addition to this, the Planning Department HAS REJECTED the application for change of use and additions of the fish and chips shop because THE CO-OWNER DOESN’T CONSENT TO THIS ALTERATION”.
ONCE AGAIN, ALL THESE ACTIONS WERE TAKEN UNANIMOUS BY THE COUNCIL MEMBERS. THERE IS NOTHING REPREHENSIBLE FOR THE COUNCIL AND MUCHTARS ACTIONS.
TRANSPARENCY AND SOCIAL JUSTICE IS CULTIVATED AND PROMOTED BY THIS LEGAL ENTITY WHICH IS CALLED PISSOURI COMMYNITY COUNCIL.
By the Village Council
Executive Secretary
Petros Foutas