The British Sovereign Base Areas have responded to concerns ahead of Saturday’s protest outside RAF Akrotiri, confirming that additional land will be required as part of a planned infrastructure upgrade near the Akrotiri Salt Lake.
The Bases said the project would follow the existing legal and environmental procedures, while citing a previous study that found no increased incidence of cancer or other health problems in the area.
The protest, organised by Kourion Municipality against the installation of new antennas, will take place on Saturday, 8 August. Participants will gather at the first entrance to the Akrotiri municipal district at 9:30 am.
A British Bases spokesperson said the administration “respects the right to peaceful and lawful protest”.
Infrastructure upgrade at Akrotiri
The British Bases confirmed that an infrastructure modernisation project is under way near the Akrotiri Salt Lake. The plans include the installation of new equipment and upgrades to existing facilities.
“The administration remains firmly committed to maintaining close, open and transparent communication with all key stakeholders throughout the implementation of the project,” the spokesperson said.
Additional land will be required
The Bases said acquiring additional land would be necessary to ensure the infrastructure’s long-term operational capability.
“To ensure the long-term operational functioning of the infrastructure, the acquisition of additional land will be required,” the statement said.
Any acquisition process would be carried out under the existing legal framework and would include consultations with affected landowners, as well as consideration of any compensation provided for by law.
The Bases also clarified that work cannot begin until the legally required environmental process and public consultation have been completed.
“The administration is awaiting the submission of the necessary applications by the project’s implementing body so that the relevant legal procedures can begin,” the statement added.
Study found no increased cancer incidence
Addressing concerns over emissions and public health, the Bases referred to an independent scientific study on radiofrequency fields.
According to the statement, the study found that the main sources of radiofrequency fields were mobile telephone networks and national radio and television broadcasting systems.
It also found no increased incidence of cancer, congenital abnormalities or obstetric problems. The Bases said they had no evidence suggesting that those findings had changed.
They have also informed the Cyprus government that they are prepared to co-fund a new independent scientific study.
Additional monitoring stations proposed
The Bases said existing monitoring mechanisms, including those operating within the Akrotiri community, continuously provide the relevant authorities of the Republic of Cyprus with emissions data from the equipment.
Independent verification of those measurements will continue and could be strengthened through a proposal to install additional monitoring stations across the Akrotiri Salt Lake area.
The administration said it remained committed to implementing the project in cooperation with the relevant authorities and local communities, with an emphasis on transparency, environmental protection and the timely provision of information.
Saturday’s protest is being organised by Kourion Municipality with the support of the Akrotiri Merra Committee, the “Akrotiri Ora Miden” movement and organised groups within the municipality.
Residents oppose the installation of the antennas and have raised concerns over their potential effects on the environment and quality of life.
