Regulations for urbanization in protected areas, arbitrary building, forest maps, and the issuance of building permits include a draft law by the Ministry of Environment and Energy, which was put out for public consultation, attempting to provide solutions to outstanding issues that have remained open for the past few years.

A central point of the plan is the provision for the possibility of urban development in parcels of Natura sites, under certain conditions. The regulation concerns cases where the expansion of town or settlement plans is considered necessary, but until now could not proceed due to the restrictions imposed by the protection regime.

It is recalled that the current institutional framework provides for the division of Natura 2000 areas into distinct protection zones, depending on their importance and characteristics, starting from the core of absolute protection and reaching the zone of sustainable natural resource management, where more moderate human activities are allowed. In this context, the ministry now allows – subject to conditions – the urbanisation of parts of these zones when they are in direct contact with in-planned areas or the boundaries of existing settlements.

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Conditions and limits

According to the provisions, only land in direct contiguity with already planned areas can be included in the city plan. The extension must be foreseen and justified through a Local or Special Urban Plan, and specific filters are set: the intervention must be compatible with the Special Environmental Studies that define the protection status of each area and not exceed 20% of the total area of the zone in question.

Of particular importance is that these zones may also include areas subject to special protection regimes, such as forest areas, archaeological sites, and protection zones of A and B archaeological sites, as well as biotopes, as reflected in the respective land use plans.

Extensions for unauthorized buildings in parks and forests

The draft law also includes extensions for the legalization of existing unauthorized structures. In particular, time is given until December 31, 2027, to regularize buildings and infrastructure located in parks and groves, provided they meet specific criteria in the relevant legislation.

A similar extension is also provided for facilities in forests and woodlands, such as livestock units, camps, ski resorts and other infrastructure, with a simultaneous suspension of fines and demolition measures until the completion of the licensing procedures.

Facilitation of property transfers

Interventions are also envisaged on the issue of forest maps, to facilitate property transfers. For cases where objections or corrections have been accepted, a forestry certificate will no longer be required, but the relevant administrative decision, accompanied by the topographical diagram, will suffice, so that notarial acts can proceed without delays.

At the same time, the deadline is extended until the end of 2026 for the utilization of the environmental equivalent by owners and developers seeking to maintain additional building factors, giving additional time to comply with the current framework.

Finally, the suspension of the issuance of building permits in Ymittos is maintained until the issuance of a new presidential protection decree, with a time limit until December 31, 2026, while certain exemptions for specific uses are also provided.