Akrotiri residents plan protest and legal action over British Bases antenna project

Akrotiri, Cyprus. Residents and Kourion Municipality are escalating their opposition to British Bases plans to install new antennas in the area, following a unanimous village meeting decision to pursue protest marches and legal action.

The first mobilisation is scheduled for Saturday at 9.30am, beginning at the first entrance to the Akrotiri Municipal District.

Municipality concerns

Kourion Mayor Pantelis Georgiou said the municipality considers the planned expansion of British Bases facilities incompatible with the rational development of the wider municipal area.

He said the installation of new antennas would further militarise Akrotiri and called on the government to support the municipality’s request to cancel the project. Georgiou also urged residents to participate in Saturday’s protest.

British Bases response

A Sovereign Base Areas Administration spokesperson said the Administration respects the right to peaceful and lawful protest.

The spokesperson said the project is subject to a statutory environmental process and public consultation, with the Administration awaiting the necessary applications from the project sponsor before those procedures begin.

The Administration has informed the Government of the Republic that it is willing to co-sponsor a further independent study, the spokesperson said, adding that it remains committed to delivering the project responsibly and in close cooperation with local partners and communities.

Assessments and project scope

According to information received by the municipality, no work will begin until all required public health and environmental impact studies have been completed and approved.

Local authorities’ concerns have been conveyed to the Foreign Ministry, while the British Bases have reportedly provided similar assurances that construction will not proceed before the relevant assessment procedures are complete.

The proposed expansion covers about 450,000 square metres. The first phase includes 68 new antennas, with a further 68 planned for a second phase and a third development phase also foreseen.