About a year ago the Dutch embassy in Athens requested “to install security system” and “measures to protect marine access” to the royal villa at Ermioni, submitting a relevant study to the competent authority. On March 14, 2014, the Ministry of Environment, Energy and Climate Change with decision no. 924 approved the Dutch request “notwithstanding any general or special provision,” and mentioned that it is approved in order to service public interest and the protection of public safety.
“The joint ministerial license does not clearly indicate the port construction, but just the implementation of structures for enhancing security in the residence of the king of Holland, such as fences and generally control sea access,” said the president of the Ermionis Citizens Intervention Maria Karras to “Proto Thema” newspaper adding that “The seashore and the sea can not become property of another state”.
However, despite the protests, works in the seashore below the villa of the Dutch monarch continue intensively in order to have everything ready for the summer holidays at mid-August.
Surveillance cameras and guardhouses for security men have been placed around the property as well as in the small port, while signs prohibiting access to citizens have been also placed emphasizing that the area is private.
Due to the works done, access to the royal beach is now impossible for local people, who used to enjoy swimming there before the royal family bought the villa. But now, even access to the free part of that beach is made under hurdles. A resident complained that when he attempted to reach the beach with his children some persons with no discernible public role asked him questions while he was under constant supervision the whole time he was on the beach.