Winners and losers have been counted since yesterday’s announcement of the regulation for the New Building Regulation in the construction market without nevertheless closing the way to new legal disputes, which should be taken for granted on the part of both contractors and municipal authorities.

The Minister of Environment and Energy, Stavros Papastavrou, however, appeared in Parliament yesterday satisfied with the regulation brought by the government, which he asked MPs to vote for. He even stressed that it was an important effort to start the construction activity that had been stalled in the previous months. “The worst thing in the construction industry is to be in aphasia or slumber,” the minister said from the floor of parliament, stressing that the new framework sets clear limits on all categories and removes the uncertainty that currently exists in the real estate market.

He also responded to the criticism that the government has been criticised for tabling a regulation in Parliament without the required consultation. At this point, he recalled that in December last year when the summary of the State Council’s decision was announced, a special platform had been created by the SYPEN on which citizens could submit their comments and suggestions. As Papastavrou said yesterday, 700 comments were submitted on this platform while 100 e-mails were sent to the ministry.

“Heated” appeals

The “machine” however has started to heat up on the part of construction companies, which are expected to file an appeal next Monday to the European Court of Justice asking not for damages but for the trial to be reopened.

According to competent legal bars handling the case, the plaintiffs will ask the Supreme Court to modify the application of the Council of State’s ruling, which they believe was not fair to all.