Popular Polis campsite’s 2011 opening in doubt
By Bejay Browne Published on March 19, 2011
CAMPERS may be left disappointed this year as it is unclear yet whether the popular campsite in Polis Chrysochous will open at all.
According to Takis Tsintides, the Chief Forestry Conservationist, the person who has been managing the site had his contract terminated last year, but is refusing to leave the site
Tsintides said that the up to now the manager had fought all efforts to remove him by using a variety of methods, including blocking the entrance with vehicle.
The forestry chief confirmed that in the last two days, forestry workers had torn down the wooden beach bar as part of efforts to clear the site.
According to Tsintides the state forest was leased to the Cyprus Tourism Organisation (CTO), which in turn leased the site to the private individual in question.
“The forestry department terminated the contract with the CTO in February 2010, in order to rent it to the municipality of Polis Chrysochous who would upgrade the area and keep it as a campsite,” said Tsintides
He said that in August 2009, the forestry department had sent a letter to inform the CTO of their intentions. The CTO had then informed the manager of the campsite that they were also terminating the agreement they had with him
“The manager did not leave, despite the fact that his contract terminated on February 28 last year. Since then, in our opinion, he has continued to operate the facility illegally,” said Tsintides
He said the CTO has had to resort to legal means but this was turning into an endless process.
Tsintides said the state legal services had recently advised the forestry department to exercise Article 13 of the Forestry Law and put the manager on notice to leave. “If he does not do so, we have the right to seize the area,” he said.
In the meantime – since the legal means could take three years - the department is talking to the site manager to work out a way he could open the camp this summer, and then leave permanently. “There will be news on this in the coming month,” said Tsintides.
Campers and nature lovers are up in arms about the situation. Seasoned camper Sotiris Nicolaou said: “I have been coming in Polis for years every summer. I now bring my family here and we love it because you have a chance to live in nature.”
The campsite is set in a stunning location; in forest of eucalyptus trees which back onto a sand and shingle beach overlooking Chrysochou bay.The beach has blue flag status, and lifeguards are on duty during the summer.
Tsintides said that future modernisation plans for the area would be sensitive to the area, and would include designated spaces for caravans and tents, new facilities and restaurants. The site can currently hold up to 200 tents.
“The plans have all been very carefully prepared by the architect and I hope that the municipality of Polis will keep their promise of presenting the plans to the public before any work gets underway,’ he said. : This would ensure that everyone who is concerned about the site would be able to have their say.”
http://www.cyprus-mail.com/cyprus/popular-polis-campsite-s-2011-opening-doubt/20110319
by Askaso Tue 17 Dec 2013, 10:35 pm
Subject: Για το κάμπινγκ πόλις χρυσοχούς. 
