2,737 signatures
Petition is addressed to: The Mayor of Paros Mr. Konstantinos Bizas, the Municipal Council of the Municipality of Paros, the Town Planning Department of Paros, the Ministry of Physical Planning and Environment, Members of the Cycladic Parliament
Protect the identity of our island from anarchic overbuilding.
Overdevelopment is widely recognised by all academic and environmental bodies as the main threat to natural resources and the preservation of the Cycladic landscape. The main component of overbuilding is uncontrolled outside zoning areas construction, which, in overwhelming proportions, involves luxurious and environmentally unsustainable holiday homes.
The damage to the countryside is already enormous. Very soon, we will be at the point of no return. Now, more than ever, we must act to halt overbuilding until the new Local Spatial Plan is in place.
This resolution proposes the mildest possible formula so that Paros has a chance to exist as a place tomorrow. We call for the temporary suspension of the issuing of new building permits through the application of the jurisdiction of the Council of State, which sets specific and strict conditions for outside zoning areas building. At the same time, we call for the exemption of building permits for principal residences.
It is urgent and crucial to understand that extending 'business as usual' is no longer an option. If the current rate of building is maintained, in a matter of years, the situation will be so irreparably distressed that the implementation of the new Local Plan will no longer be of any value: there will be nothing left to save.
This is a call to action that we cannot ignore.
Specifically, we ask:
Α. That the Municipal Council decides that the Town Planning Department of Paros, will apply the juridiction of the Council of State, which from 2023 recalls that "off zoning area building in Greece has been prohibited since 1985, with the sole exception of parcels of land that have 25 meters of frontage on a legally existing road". This decision stresses that rural or forest roads cannot be understood as legally recognized roads and that the (pre-1923) old paths - are protected by the existing General Urban Plan.
Β. To request the Ministry to suspend the issuance of new permits in off zoning areas until the new Local Urban Plan of Paros is established. With the exception of building permits for primary residences and public utility buildings.
C. Demand the inactivation of the law on cave houses on Paros. They are not in keeping with the island's architectural tradition and cause enormous destruction. Also, close any window for the construction of swimming pools on the island (currently built as "water features") and provide incentives for the construction of water tanks for rainwater storage.
D. Staff the necessary City departments to conduct systematic inspections of construction activity on the island, not only before, but also after building and electrical permits are issued.
E. Not to allow any Private Urban Plan (of the type of ESHASE- Special Spatial Development Plans for Strategic Investments), "complex tourist accommodation" or other).
We also ask all the bodies responsible for the Cyclades, the local authorities and civil society to support this decision. What is happening in Paros has and will have consequences for the rest of the Cycladic islands. If Paros resists the alteration of its physiognomy and its unique Cycladic identity, it will set an excellent example for the rest of the islands. If not, the uncontrolled and destructive dynamics will rapidly spread to the rest of the Cycladic islands, large and small.
Reason
Paros, after twenty years of uncontrolled growth, is facing various deadlocks: great difficulties in waste management, threats to biodiversity and to the quality of life of the inhabitants, traffic problems, especially in the summer months, intense concern about the adequacy of water and the resilience of the island in the face of the dangers of the climate crisis.
Growing imbalances burden the island's social cohesion and productive life. The consequences are already being felt: overcrowding in the summer alternating with desolation in the winter, a burden on the inhabitants' daily lives, but also the predominance of large (usually 'external') interests and their choices over small, family businesses and the needs of Parian society. Along with the Parian land, the Parisians' right to have a say in their own land is ultimately 'sold'.
Unrestrained residential development, particularly in off-zoning areas, threatens agricultural land and makes it increasingly difficult to support the primary production necessary for the resilience, balance and preservation of the identity of our island, of which it is an integral part. It also permanently and profoundly alters the Parian landscape, depriving our island of precisely this natural dowry which has been preserved for millennia and has acted as a lever for tourism development.
This kind of "development" on our island must stop. And it must stop immediately because, at the current rate, in no more than a short time, the primaeval Parian landscape will have been altered to such an extent that any hope for rational and sustainable continuation will have been lost.
Paros can still choose another path for its future. It can be directed to another kind of development, based on soft tourism, i.e. small-scale tourism that ensures that the profitability from it is directed to the local communities and not to those who come to the island only to earn and leave, without regard to the needs of the local community. But if we are to have any hope of moving in this direction, the first and crucial step is to curb the building activity that is causing permanent and irreversible alteration of our place and condemning the island to a destructive one-way path.
The General Urban Plan of Paros, established in 2012 and including important protective provisions for the island, was unfortunately never implemented in all its aspects. Things have developed extremely badly over the last decade, pushing the island to the edge of the cliff. The forthcoming Local Planning Scheme will not be in place for several more years.
But in the meantime, building permits are being issued every day, while the number of houses on the island has already more than doubled in the last thirty years and if we include the volume of new buildings, the numbers are staggering: In 2019, 33,000 sqm were built on Paros, in 2023 66,000 sqm were built, and the rate of issuing building permits is constantly increasing. When in three or four years we will have the new Local Urban Plan, things for Paros will already be decided. We believe that this situation must be stopped immediately because it is causing irreversible damage to our island, depriving Paros forever of the special and sensitive characteristics of its island physiognomy.
We ask the Municipal Council of Paros to take action as soon as possible for the drastic restriction of off-zoning area building, by taking measures to stop it.
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Signatures (in alphabetical order)
- Association of Naoussians of Paros
- Citizens' Movement of Paros
- Cultural Association Atlantis from Aspro Chorio
- Friends of Paros and Antiparos
- Recreational-Cultural Association of Aggeria
- Progressive Association of Lefkians of Paros
- Yria Cultural Association of Lefkes
Petition details
Petition started:
06/20/2024
Petition ends:
06/17/2025
Region:
Paros
Topic:
Construction
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Subscription period active - Spring Assembly 24-04-2025
on 19 Apr 2025Spring apologetic-programmatic meeting
Thursday 24 March, 19:00
at the Fluxus Cinema Café (formerly Archilochos Hall)
The presentation of the movement's proposed actions and positions will also be held in English.
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It is clear to everyone that Paros is at a critical crossroads. Intensive urbanisation, along with the loss of the elements that define our island's identity, is occurring at an alarming rate. While some people support this trend and refer to it as 'natural evolution,' many are concerned about the changes taking place.
The Paros Citizens' Movement emphasizes that this form of "evolution" is not "natural" at all. It stems from the influence of outside interests and reflects a neglect of the laws that protect the present and future well-being of the island and its residents.
The Citizen's Movement unites individuals dedicated to protecting both nature and the people of Paros. Our goal is to preserve the island's authenticity and insularity while safeguarding its natural beauty and the simplicity of daily life. This is what makes Paros a cherished place to live and a paradise destination for millions of visitors from around the world.
The Paros Citizens' Movement has no leaders or representatives. It consists entirely of its members, and its success or failure, as well as its pace and energy, depends on the judgment, efforts, and collective decisions of those who participate in its actions. The presence of everyone who cares at our Assemblies is crucial for driving developments forward. -
Protecting Our Islands – Your Support Matters
on 11 Apr 2025Dear supporters of this petition
Overbuilding is becoming a significant issue on our islands, irreversibly distorting the Cycladic landscape. This situation exacerbates challenges related to water and waste management as well as traffic congestion. Residents often feel powerless as these issues emerge, particularly when regulations are poorly enforced and authorities frequently neglect their responsibilities.
Reality has demonstrated that seeking independent technical and legal expertise to challenge irregularities is the most effective action. However, this requires funding.
The Friends of Paros, one of the supporters of this petition, aims to establish a special fund to cover the costs of such expertise and legal support. We kindly ask for your participation in this funding initiative, according to your means.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will help civil society take meaningful action to preserve the unique beauty of Paros and Antiparos.
Please transfer your contribution to the Friends of Paros account with the note "fund legal expertise." If you would like, email info@friendsofparos.com to inform us if you wish to remain anonymous or not.
Thank you for standing with us in this important cause!
Bank account details:
Alpha Bank
Beneficiary: Friends of Paros
IBAN: GR8101406250625002002002615
Reason: fund legal expertise -
Dear supporters of this petition
Overbuilding is becoming a significant issue on our islands, irreversibly distorting the Cycladic landscape. This situation exacerbates challenges related to water and waste management as well as traffic congestion. Residents often feel powerless as these issues emerge, particularly when regulations are poorly enforced and authorities frequently neglect their responsibilities.
Reality has demonstrated that seeking independent technical and legal expertise to challenge irregularities is the most effective action. However, this requires funding.
The Friends of Paros, one of the supporters of this petition, aims to establish a special fund to cover the costs of such expertise and legal support. We kindly ask for your participation in this funding initiative, according to your means.
Your contribution, no matter the size, will help civil society take meaningful action to preserve the unique beauty of Paros and Antiparos.
Please transfer your contribution to the Friends of Paros account with the note "fund legal expertise." If you would like, email info@friendsofparos.com to inform us if you wish to remain anonymous or not.
Thank you for standing with us in this important cause!
Bank account details:
Alpha Bank
Beneficiary: Friends of Paros
IBAN: GR8101406250625002002002615
Bic/Swift: CRBAGRAAXXX
Reason: fund legal expertise
Debate
It's a shame what is going on in Paros. Look at the other famous tourist location around the world. its everywhere a disaster. the responsibility has the Municipality of Paros and the greek government. the character of Paros is changing every day. Water is life and this recourse will finish very soon.
No CONTRA argument yet.
Why people sign
Because the island is the home of my partners and too many Greek islands have been spoilt from tourism and infrastructure already
I have been visiting paros for over 40 years and the over tourist / building and construction is ruining tiny Paros island
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I have been a full time resident of the island for 4 years and am concerned the infrastructure and town planning has not been able to keep up with development and overcrowding in the summer as it is now. Among many other issues, the roads and rubbish are of a particular concern. Apart from the building rubbish that piles up on the side of the road, building rubbish is dumped in fields, and in undeveloped areas along the sea. It is criminal, yet the Municipality don’t have the resources to police the illegal dumping. The roads get washed away with every rain, and are scarcely repaired, making them dangerous to drive on for locals and inexperienced tourists. The landscape and ‘personality’ of the island is being eroded by development that is not in keeping with traditional guidelines. The cost of living for locals has been overinflated due to the rising costs of land and land rental prices, making it unsustainable for many people to live on the island all year round, and will eventually make it even more of a ‘ghost town’ in winter, and harder for locals to sustain a life here. In the short 9 years since I’ve been coming to Paros I have witnessed a massive burst of overdevelopment that the Municipality has not been able to keep up with in terms of supporting infrastructure that keeps full time residents, nor the integrity of the island’s beauty, history and traditions safe. Town planning and infrastructure have been left behind while the island develops to over capacity. The consequences of the lack of conservation of the island’s resources, environment and integrity has already deeply impacted locals and residents. Without restraint and more structured and informed town planning Paros will loose its identity and become just another overcrowded, over priced, over developed Cycladic island to be left for dead, covered in the scars of overdevelopment, when tourists and exploitive developers move to the next upcoming hot spot.