Two tourist developments in central Ayia Napa have allegedly been built beyond what their permits allow, with extra floors and rooms, according to complaints that Phileleftheros has been made aware of. The complaints also allege that the Famagusta District Local Government Organisation (DLGO/EOA) failed to act and that offenders may have received favourable treatment.
The complaints were made to Ayia Napa municipality and passed on to the Famagusta DLGO for investigation. There has been no response so far.
According to the information, both developments are in a T2b tourist planning zone. This zone allows a maximum building density of 40 per cent, site coverage of 20 per cent, three floors and a height of 13.5 metres. However, the buildings appear to exceed both the floor and the height limits significantly.
The first case concerns a former hotel, to which at least two extra floors have allegedly been added without the required permits. Ayia Napa municipality wrote to the DLGO in early 2026 asking it to examine possible breaches. According to information, however, no proper on-site inspection was ever carried out.
The second case concerns a plot near Ayia Napa’s harbour. A permit was granted for 60 rooms, but the development has allegedly grown to more than 100 rooms, with at least one floor more than was approved. The complaint alleges that the DLGO, as the responsible planning authority, took no action whatsoever, even though the extent of the construction is visible to the naked eye.
The complaint also says that containers behind the hotel are being used illegally to house staff.
Conflict of interest claim
The complaint raises the question of an actual or potential conflict of interest at the DLGO. It alleges that the spouse of a businessman linked to the developments works in the organisation’s licensing section. It asks the Auditor General to examine whether that person had access to the files, took part in decisions, or failed to follow procedures that ensure impartiality.
The complainant says that in some cases “the DLGO did nothing”, and calls for central oversight bodies to intervene immediately and impartially.
The complainant is calling on the Auditor General and the Interior Ministry to examine whether DLGO officials caused unjustified delays, failed to act or gave preferential treatment. The complaint asks for immediate and impartial on-site inspections of the plots in question, a comparison of what has been built with the planning and building permits and the approved architectural plans, and strict and equal enforcement of the law, without exceptions.
