The Department of Forests has removed unauthorised structures erected on state forest land at Dasoudi in Limassol, after determining that no application had been submitted and no plans had been presented to the relevant authorities.
In recent days, Power Beach, the volunteer initiative associated with the installations, has returned to the spotlight, seeking public discussion and presenting its own account of the matter.
According to Glafkos Kyriakou, spokesperson for the Department of Forests, Dasoudi is a state forest governed by a specific legislative framework that determines what is and is not permitted within the area.
Speaking to Politis, Kyriakou said that no application had ever been submitted to the department and no plans had been presented for consideration.
Department officials, he added, identified illegal works at the site and moved immediately to remove the structures in order to prevent the creation of a fait accompli.
Kyriakou stressed, however, that the Department of Forests does not reject proposals out of hand.
Interested parties, he said, must follow the prescribed procedures so that any request can be examined, the necessary studies carried out and decisions subsequently taken.
Under no circumstances, he added, can individuals begin construction works, particularly permanent ones, within a forest area or on a beach without prior approval.
Amathounta municipality also opposed
A similar position was expressed by the Municipality of Amathounta.
Mayor Kyriakos Xydias stated that the municipality had not granted any licence or consent for the installations.
He noted that responsibility for such matters lies with the Department of Forests and the District Administration, adding that the municipality is firmly opposed to unauthorised interventions in public spaces.
Xydias recalled efforts made by Limassol residents over the years to preserve Dasoudi as a forest area, arguing that individuals cannot simply proceed with constructions or other interventions at will.
He also pointed out that a public outdoor gym already operates nearby, having been developed on the basis of studies and established standards and remaining available to the public.
Power Beach seeks dialogue
For its part, Power Beach says it has operated for years as a volunteer initiative promoting outdoor exercise and active community participation.
According to the group, the recent incident concerned the removal of a steel-and-concrete base that had been constructed for a future entrance sign to the "gym."
The sign itself had not yet been installed.
The group is calling for dialogue with the authorities and has already launched an online petition seeking public support.
