Government to begin tearing down illegal buildings in September
Stathakis stressed that priority will be given to illegal structures built on seaside properties, national forests, and creeks, as well as properties whose owners have consented so as to avoid fines
One month after the Mati wildfire tragedy, the government is refocusing on the issue of tearing down illegal buildings.
Energy and Environment Minister Yorgos Stathakis said that there will be “impressive results” in the tearing down of illegal structures on seaside properties, forested areas and creeks.
Stathakis told 24/7 radio that 3,200 structures have already been declared illegal by irrevocable legal decisions and that the government will restore legality at a rapid pace.
“The first diagnostic procedure, that will be awarded with a direct contract, with a cost of 135,000 euros, has begun, and an international tender will follow.
The first demolitions will be conducted on seaside properties on the Athens-Sounio road. they involve structures for which irrevocable rulings to tear them down were issued in the 1990s [but were never implemented], as well as newer structures,” Stathakis said.
As for the timetable, the minister said that preparations (awarding the contract to a company) will last about 20 days, and the first demolitions are planned for mid-September. The owners of these buildings are among the 210 who have already been notified.
Stathakis stressed that priority will be given to illegal structures built on seaside properties, national forests, and creeks, as well as properties whose owners have consented – many of them already by 2015 – to the tearing down of their buildings in order to avoid fines.
Regarding the inertia of the state until now, Stathakis said that “the procedure is complex, with high levels of protection and a drawn out process”.
As for the property on which 26 residents of Mati were trapped during the tragic fire, Stathakis said that “inspectors have been sent and a report is forthcoming, but it appears that it is entirely illegal”.
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