Residents of Mitsero and seven neighbouring communities are demanding the cancellation of plans to relocate an asphalt plant to the area, arguing that longstanding government promises to reduce existing environmental nuisances have produced no tangible results.
Speaking on Morning Briefing with Katerina Eliadi, Mitsero community leader Andreas Papanastasiou expressed strong dissatisfaction among residents over the proposed development, days after the eight affected communities staged a protest.
Papanastasiou said repeated commitments had been made over the years to address problems affecting the area, including instructions from the President to the Agriculture and Interior ministries.
Despite those commitments, he said, “absolutely nothing has been done.”
‘The last straw’
Papanastasiou described Mitsero as an area already carrying a significant environmental burden despite having contributed substantially to Cyprus’ economy.
He pointed to existing quarries, pig farms and slaughterhouses, which he said already create considerable environmental pressure.
The communities have two separate demands: the cancellation of the asphalt plant relocation and implementation of previous government commitments to reduce existing nuisances.
“This is not about compensatory projects,” Papanastasiou said, stressing that resolving longstanding problems should not be made conditional on accepting another industrial facility.
He described the proposed asphalt plant as “the straw that will break the camel’s back.”
Communities allege lack of public consultation
Papanastasiou also criticised what he described as an absence of public consultation before the decision was taken to relocate the plant.
He claimed that not all required procedures were followed when permits were issued, an issue that forms part of an ongoing legal dispute with the Republic of Cyprus.
According to Papanastasiou, relevant studies were carried out only after the relocation decision had been made, leading him to argue that they were subsequently used to justify the decision.
“First the decision to relocate was taken and then the studies were carried out,” he said.
The communities, he added, have opposed the project since 2020.
Papanastasiou also said local authorities have not received updated studies or other relevant information concerning the development.
Public health concerns
The Mitsero community leader questioned why the plant is being relocated from Tseri, asking why it would have to be moved if there were no public health concerns at its current location.
“When you move a factory for public health reasons and transfer it to another area, you automatically transfer the problem as well. You do not solve it,” he said.
According to Papanastasiou, the proposed site is approximately 1.5 kilometres from the nearest home, while prevailing winds blow towards the surrounding area.
He stressed that the concerns extend beyond Mitsero to eight communities with a combined population of more than 5,000 residents.
He also questioned the rationale for moving a heavy industrial facility from an industrial zone to land designated as agricultural.
Legal battle continues
The affected communities are challenging the permits granted for the asphalt plant, with proceedings currently pending before the Court of Appeal.
Papanastasiou said a hearing is also scheduled before the Supreme Court next week over an application for an interim injunction.
He argued that such an order is necessary to protect residents’ health from the risk of what the communities consider potentially irreparable harm.
Further protests not ruled out
Asked what would happen if the government refused to abandon the relocation plans, Papanastasiou said residents were increasingly frustrated and that he could not predict the extent of future reactions.
He did not rule out further protests, including possible road closures, noting that such action could also affect economic activity.
For now, he said, the eight communities continue to place their hopes in the courts while maintaining their demand for the planned relocation to be cancelled and for previous commitments to reduce existing environmental burdens to finally be implemented.
