Court advised to block new homes on Hydra
An adviser to the Council of State has recommended that Greece’s highest administrative court accept an appeal by Hydra residents and an environmental group to stop the construction of nine two-story homes on the Saronic island. The Culture Ministry in 2006 gave approval for the buildings, covering a total of some 700 square meters, but the decision has been appealed by the Hellenic Society for the Protection of the Environment and Cultural Heritage and a Hydra-based residents’ group. Stringent building rules apply to the small island because it has been designated a place of outstanding natural beauty and the main town has been placed on a heritage list. The court has been advised to rescind the permit because construction on the island has been allowed only on land where there were already buildings before the current restrictions were introduced.
