Tsar’s regulation against Tina about unauthorised buildings

A plan for unauthorised construction, without the involvement of the Environment ministry, is being devised by the Finance ministry, continuing the pursuit of revenue which has been included in the memorandum.

Yesterday, throught the mouth of Tina Birbili and Deputy Minister Nikos Sifounakis speaking to journalists, the Environment ministry confirmed the new type of financial arrangement that is being prepared by Giorgos Papakontantinou, suggesting however that the manoeuvering is being handled by the Finance ministry alone, with no collaborations.

Sifunakis defended the need for rationalizating the penalties that have applied since 2003. "The fines are too high and that is why this initiative has not worked" said the deputy Environment minister, claiming that the plan is the sole responsibility of the ministry of Finance.

Information indicates that the latter is committing to a plan along the lines of semi-open spaces for reasons of constitutional order, which will cut fines down by up to 50% for unauthorised construction in order to entice people to embrace the regulation.

It should be noted that fines are now settled with a one-off payment equivalent to 30% of the objective value of the unauthorised building, and the maintenance fines amount to an annual payment of 5% of the objective value.

710mil-euro revenue from semi-open spaces

On its part, the Environment ministry says it is satisfied with the progress of collecting revenue for semi-open spaces, estimated at 710mil euros, from a total of 553.791 applications submitted to the urban planning offices. So far, 106mil have been received.

According to their data, higher revenues have been amassed in urban planning offices in Athens, East Attica, Thessaloniki, Evia, Achaia, Heraklion, the Dodecanese and the Cyclades.

For 2011, 420mil is to be collected of which 57 had been paid in by February 22. Last year, the revenue totaled 105,9mil and was above the initial estimates of 93. These figures do not include revenues from state fees.

The ministry expects a substantial influx of revenue from the new extension to the application deadline until the end of June.

We still have a long way to go with Elliniko

During the meeting yesterday netween the leadership of the ministry of Environment and representatives of the press, many issues were reaised, but as to those issues that are newsworthy and relevant to the use of public property and Elliniko, both Birbili and Sifounakis avoided shedding light on several obscure aspects.

The Deputy Minister spoke of a metropolitan park, larger than Central Park, which has to be accompanied by other uses, while Birbili declined to specify quantitative targets, stressing the need for it to become a space that is accessible to citizens. "We cannot express our opinion if important economic and legal matters related to running the project are not resolved. Referring particularly to the trip to Qatar, Sifounakis said that was not only for Elliniko but also for the memorandum signed between the two countries in New York some months ago.

The forest maps are coming

About the double regeneration, Birbili said she expects the Kaminis proposals in writing, suggesting there difficulties in the matter ,while she appeared committed to another major regeneration, that of Faliro bay from the Peace and Friendship stadium to the Opera House. But her first personal challenge, the forest maps, are finally under way after 1,5 years.

Very soon the first forest maps are to be ratified despite the great difficulties encountered by the project. Within the next few days the residents of Marathon, Penteli and Nea Penteli will be notified via PPC accounts about the posting of the maps that will take place in March. Furthermore, in cooperation with six prefectures (eg, Magnesia, Ilia, Kavala, Halkidiki, Evros), which have completed maps from previous studies, the ministry conduct assessments in order for them to be published shortly.