12-03-2012 End credits for the regulation on off-plan properties

Finally, the Deputy Minister of Environment, Energy, and Climate Change, Mr. Nikos Sifounakis, officially put an end to the regulations on unplanned construction in the Presidential Decree on land use by announcing the decision to separate the residence from the professional status of its owner “in order to remove any confusion.” Nikos Sifounakis, announcing the decision to separate the residence from the professional status of its owner “in order to remove any confusion and ambiguity regarding the controversial Article 14 of the Presidential Decree,” as he stated in a press conference.

As Mr. Sifounakis stated, the Presidential Decree introduces the concept of “Exclusive Residence” is introduced, with the sole permitted use being residence, while it was also proposed to “lighten” the General Residence areas from other uses, specifying an area for shops, supermarkets, etc., where until now there was none.

A category of “designated settlements” is created for uses that are permitted in settlements depending on their size, capacity, and degree of protection, such as bakeries, which until recently were typically prohibited within settlements.

Land use and the consolidation of productive activities were also clarified in order to create a single category that will help the economic situation, as the deputy minister pointed out.

Finally, the category of “special uses” was proposed for the systematization of urban infrastructure, while landfill sites will also be identified in this way.

The draft Presidential Decree will be sent to the political parties participating in the government for final approval.

As Maria Kaltsa, Secretary General for Spatial Planning and Urban Environment, announced at a press conference, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change is conducting intensive investigations to identify those who attempted to exploit the law on the regulation of unauthorized buildings by constructing after July 2011. “They will be in for a surprise,” said Ms. Kaltsa, as comparative sample checks are already being carried out on maps in 100% of the areas.