The Municipality of Mesa Geitonia has requested the preparation of three studies, in order to evaluate them before it positions itself regarding the construction and operation of "The Mall of Limassol" shopping centre. The proposed project, owned by Atterbury Europe, is located within the Mesa Geitonia boundaries. Mesa Geitonia Mayor, Doros Antoniou, told "Entrepreneurial Limassol" that the Department of Town Planning has asked the local authority for its views on the issue. As well as that the Municipality has replied in writing that to express such, it must have before it a Traffic Study, an Environmental Impact Study, as well as a Study that will demonstrate how the project will affect the economic environment of the area.
He also said that the same positions were expressed directly to the interested investors when they visited the Municipality with their architects. The Mayor explained that the Local Authority is in principle in favor of development, but without that being at the expense of the local community and therefore wants to measure how it will affect his area and ensure that citizens will not be negatively affected.
In response to a question, he replied that several residents expressed concerns over the proposed project. "We know that it is inevitable that this plot will be developed for residential or other purposes, but we seek it to be in the context of sustainable development," Doros Antoniou concluded. Interested investors have submitted through the Department of Town Planning to the Department of Environment, an Information Report on the construction and operation of the shopping center, as well as on the construction of a roundabout at the junction of Georgios Neophytou and Spyros Kyprianou Avenues.
"The Mall of Limassol" aspires to serve the central and regional market of Limassol and will offer a range of retail products and services, including family entertainment. Additionally, the construction of the roundabout aims at traffic decongestion in the area and its location and design have been decided after consultation and approval by the Department of Public Works. The Environment Department has started the process of evaluating the Report, which includes an Environmental Impact Study, in order to issue a relevant opinion-reasoned finding, after seeking views from all involved services. An opinion of this nature usually takes between two and five months to deliver.
