Greek government’s plan for the off-plan developments and the bonuses in the new building regulation

“The Council of State is wary of horizontal regulations,” said the Prime Minister. “The Local Urban Planning Plans will be ready in two to three years from now, because they are launched not only for our islands, as a priority for our islands, but also for all the Municipalities of the country. They are the ones that, ultimately, will be able to determine at the local level the strengths of each region, the particularities of each region, where we can finally build and what we can build in each region. Until then, however, it is clear that we will need to have some horizontal rules.”

“It is also absolutely certain, based on the recent decisions of the Council of State, that there will be gradual restrictions on off-plan construction. You know that there is already a decision of the Council of State regarding plots, “blind” plots and their possibility to build if they do not have street frontage. And very soon we will bring a transitional provision – logical, I believe -, so that we can temporarily adapt to the decision of the Council of State”,

Along with the restrictions, incentives must also be given to the settlements, especially on the islands that have practically not been built, settlements that must be protected. “Of course, we must provide alternatives, or organized receptors, or in settlements or in their expansion. On an island in the Aegean, I prefer to “push” interested parties to acquire a holiday home in some settlement, than for everyone to build on a 4-acre plot, wherever they want, as they want”, commented the Prime Minister.

The prime minister also referred to the hearing, last Friday, in the Plenary Session of the Council of State of the appeals against the incentives of the New Building Regulation (NOK). “There was a very important trial a few days ago and without wanting to interfere with the court’s issues, it is very important to have a holistic approach to what environmental impact from building means. It is not only the height of the buildings, which affects the environment, but also the quality of the materials, the energy efficiency. NOK moved in this logic”.

“Obviously there are other provisions of the NOK, such as the tunnels, for which opinions differ. I believe that the measure has worked positively, but I am not an expert,” he said. About the swimming pools on the islands he said that we should not have prejudices, but consider based on facts. “What part of consumption is it?” If it’s 20%, let me discuss it (including limiting them), but if it’s 1%, it doesn’t create a water management problem.”