The Planning Derogations Council has unanimously decided to reconsider an application for a planning permit by derogation for the construction of a monastery in Cape Greco at a future meeting, following the emergence of significant new information.
The proposed development is located in the heart of the environmentally sensitive, protected Natura 2000 area. The decision follows the submission of nine letters to the Council, including correspondence from environmental organisations, the Auditor General and the Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta, which has announced extensive changes to its plans.
The Council said the new information must be examined before it can reach a final decision and submit a reasoned recommendation to the Council of Ministers.
Letters from organisations and the Diocese of Constantia
According to an announcement, the Council had previously examined the application for a planning permit by derogation from the provisions of the Paralimni, Ayia Napa and Deryneia Local Plan. The application concerns the construction of a monastery and a shelter for abused women and children in the Municipality of Ayia Napa, specifically the Ayia Napa Municipal District, in Famagusta District.
The application was considered at the Council's meeting No. 14/2026, held on 16 October 2026. However, several important developments have since emerged.
These include letters from various organisations and correspondence from the Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta, informing the Council that it intends to make extensive amendments to its submitted plans and, consequently, to the application under consideration.
The amendments will include the removal of buildings. The Diocese has also submitted an assessment by specialised scientists examining the project's impact on the integrity of Natura 2000 sites, as well as an evaluation under Article 6(3) of the Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC).
The Council said its decision to postpone the final examination was taken in accordance with Regulation 15(3) of the Town and Country Planning (Derogations) Regulations (KDP 309/99). The regulation requires the Council to assess each application based on the information available to it before reaching a reasoned recommendation to the Council of Ministers.
Diocese submits assessment by specialised scientists
The Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta also submitted an assessment prepared by specialised scientists.
According to the Council's announcement, the assessment examines the impact on natural habitats and wildlife arising from the completion and operation of the proposed development in the Cape Greco area of Ayia Napa.
It covers the protected Natura 2000 sites SPA CY3000002 and CY3000005 and includes an assessment of the project's impact on the integrity of these sites, as well as an evaluation under Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC.
The nine letters behind the postponement
The Council identified nine items of correspondence and documentation received after its meeting on 16 October 2026 as the basis for its decision to reconsider the application at a later meeting.
They are:
1. Letter from the Auditor General, dated 27 October 2026, addressed to the Secretary of the Council of Ministers and copied to the President of the Planning Derogations Council. It raised various issues concerning the development and was forwarded to the Council by email on the same date.
2. Email from the Ecologists Movement - Citizens' Cooperation, dated 27 October 2026, setting out the movement's positions on the development.
3. Letter from Terra Cypria and BirdLife Cyprus, dated 29 October 2026, addressed to the Minister of Interior, the President and members of the Planning Derogations Council. It was sent to the Council by email on the same date.
4. Letter from Terra Cypria to the Acting Director of the Department of Environment, dated 2 July 2026, containing a reasoned recommendation concerning the Special Ecological Assessment submitted by the Holy Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta. The letter was forwarded to the Council by email on 29 October 2026.
5. Letter from BirdLife Cyprus to the Acting Director of the Department of Environment, dated 21 July 2026, containing comments on the Special Ecological Assessment submitted by the Diocese. It was forwarded to the Council by email on 29 October 2026.
6. Further letter from Terra Cypria to the Acting Director of the Department of Environment, dated 28 July 2026, setting out additional positions on the Special Ecological Assessment submitted by the Diocese, following its earlier letter of 2 July. It was sent to the Council by email on 29 October 2026.
7. Letter from the Holy Diocese of Constantia and Famagusta, dated 6 November 2026, informing the Council that it intends to make extensive amendments to its submitted plans and the application. These will include removing buildings that account for more than 50% of the building density. The letter also states that the application will concern only the construction of a monastery and a shelter for abused women and children.
8. Further letter from the Diocese, dated 11 November 2026, informing the Council that it would submit an independent scientific assessment and stressing that the document must be examined.
9. Assessment by specialised scientists, submitted to the Council by the Diocese on 11 November 2026. It examines the effects of completing and operating the development on natural habitats and wildlife in the Cape Greco area of Ayia Napa, covering Natura 2000 protected sites SPA CY3000002 and CY3000005. It also assesses the project's impact on the integrity of the protected sites and its compliance with Article 6(3) of Directive 92/43/EEC.
The Council will reconsider the application at a subsequent meeting, taking into account the new correspondence, the Diocese's proposed amendments and the scientific assessment.
