LAST Monday, a meeting was held between the Interior Minister, Neoclis Sylikiotis, and a joint delegation of representatives from the company set up by local land owners and representatives of the Russian investors concerning the proposed theme park in the Oroklini area.
At the meeting, the Minister gave the project the green light and issued instructions for the exchange of some 500 donums (approximately 67 hectares) of state-owned land in the area needed for the construction of the park. The state land will be exchanged for land of equivalent value owned by individuals involved in the company formed by local land owners.
In addition, instructions were given to change the zoning of the area to accommodate the development and the necessary changes to the infrastructure.
At an estimated cost of €800 million, the project is planned to occupy an area of nearly 1,000 donums (approximately 135 hectares) and will include a waterpark, a luxury hotel and many restaurants.
So, those involved have got the re-zoning they were after i.e. much higher land value. But will the theme park ever see the light of day? Is there any compulsion or conditions placed on the applicants to break ground let alone complete the project?