New quarry near Androlykou approved under environmental conditions

Polis, Cyprus. The environmental authority approved a new quarry near Androlykou on Monday, subject to strict environmental conditions, as Environment Commissioner Elias Myrianthous pledged to protect the natural environment of Polis Chrysochous.

Quarry project

The proposed quarry site is outside the existing Androlykou quarry zone and lies 120 metres from the Akamas Peninsula’s Natura 2000 protected area.

The project covers 49,727 square metres and involves the extraction of 900,000 cubic metres of limestone, with 720,000 cubic metres expected to be recoverable.

It is expected to operate for between 2.5 and three years to meet demand for aggregate materials in Paphos district.

According to Phileleftheros, the application was submitted by Gennadios Theologou & Sons Ltd and Poullas Tsadiotis Ltd, which already operate within the Androlykou quarry zone.

Development plans

Myrianthous met Polis mayor Yiotis Papachristofi to discuss environmental protection and major development projects planned for the area.

He said Polis should become “an ornament not only of Cyprus but of the whole of Europe”, adding that development should enable young people to remain in the region while protecting its natural environment.

The municipality has also backed infrastructure projects including the proposed Latchi port and the Paphos to Polis highway. Papachristofi said development should proceed while taking account of the area’s environmental value.

Environmental objections

The quarry application has faced opposition from environmental organisations.

The environmental federation criticised the loss of natural habitat and trees, while Terra Cypria called for areas containing natural vegetation to be excluded.