The staff at the Limassol District Town Planning Department are scrambling to clear a backlog of thousands of planning permit applications as the deadline for local government reform approaches.
The reform, which will transfer planning authority to the newly established Limassol District Self-Government Organisation, has led to a surge in applications, with approximately 3,500 currently pending.
The department’s district director, Iraklis Achniotis, acknowledged the department’s increased workload. The priority is to process existing applications while handling a steady stream of new submissions. Public anxiety about the reform and a rush to secure approvals before the transition are major factors contributing to the surge.
“People fear the unknown and want to ensure their applications are processed under the current system,” Achniotis explained.
The pending applications highlight Limassol’s ongoing investment boom across residential, tourism, commercial, and other sectors, reinforcing its status as Cyprus’ leading business hub. However, the influx has placed significant pressure on department staff.
The transition to the District Self-Government Organisation is set to begin on June 10, following local elections. Achniotis expressed confidence in the progress, noting ongoing staff training for the new Licensing Directorate, which will be located in a building on Thalias Street near Franklin Roosevelt Avenue. He also confirmed that concerns raised by some Town Planning Department employees about the transfer have been addressed.
In addition to the backlog at the Limassol District Town Planning Department, another 1,000 applications remain pending with the Limassol Municipality, which currently holds planning authority. According to Phileleftheros, the Municipality is also experiencing a similar surge in applications.
