A NORWEGIAN lady living in the occupied areas of Cyprus recently won a court case against the ‘TRNC’ Ministry of the Interior for its alleged negligence in allowing a development to be constructed without Planning Permission.
This is believed to be the first case in which a purchaser has successfully brought an action against a ‘TRNC’ government department for failing to regulate the construction industry. If the ‘TRNC’ government fails to appeal the case or looses an appeal, the ruling will have wide implications for home buyers in the occupied areas who are in a similar position.
Significance for the south?
The construction industry in the south of the Island is also unregulated. Some developments are constructed without the required planning permission or building permits; a situation has led to misery, heartache, and financial loss for many.
In efforts to help alleviate the situation, the government introduced a ‘Town Planning Amnesty’ in April 2010, which lasts for a year. Under its provisions, minor planning infringements may be legitimised although serious infringements will prohibit the sale or transfer of the property concerned.
But properties continue to be built in flagrant violation of the Island’s planning laws because, it appears, that those charged with policing them are either unwilling or unable to seek out and take action against the offenders.
Perhaps the Island’s legitimate government should take note of events in the ‘TRNC’ before it too ends up in court charged with negligence.