NEWS

Hymettus PPC project to proceed

Controversial plans to expand an electricity substation and construct high-voltage lines on forestland on the southeastern fringes of Athens can go ahead, Greece’s highest administrative court has ruled in a decision made public yesterday. The Argyroupolis local council had asked the Council of State to reject the environmental study for the Public Power Corporation (PPC) project, arguing that the works would obliterate part of the Mt Hymettus forest and endanger the health of local residents. Fearing the effects of electromagnetic radiation from the substation, locals have staged several protests against the project. But the court said approval of the study for the works in question – which include an Olympics-linked project to bring high-voltage cables from the Lavrion PPC plant to Argyroupolis – would only indirectly result in damage to the environment and Argyroupolis residents’ health. It said the main damage would be caused by the Public Works Ministry’s building permit for the works, issued in July, against which the local council should appeal – but to a lower administrative court.

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