Spatial Planning for Tourism Law Annulled

The Municipality of Kimolos had taken legal action against the spatial planning framework for tourism in 2013. Photo © Maria Theofanopoulou

The Council of State has annulled a spatial planning framework for tourism which was passed in 2013 and has since created controversy in the sector.

A number of industry bodies including the Hellenic Federation of Enterprises (SEV), the Economic Chamber of Greece and the Hellenic Chamber of Hotels, architects, urban planners as well as environmental organizations such as the Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage and WWF Greece, had expressed serious objections to the law, which sidelined nature protection regulation for the creation of large tourism units.

Additionally, the Society for the Environment and Cultural Heritage, the Athens Bar Association, the municipalities of Lipsoi and Kimolos, a well as environmental organizations and WWF Greece had taken legal action against the framework.

“The Council decision highlights the importance of social participation, which must be involved otherwise decisions are rendered void,” said Lucy Kiousopoulou, one of the acting lawyers.