Minister Pitsiorlas: Hellinikon Licensing Enters Final Stretch

An impression of Vouliagmenis avenue after the Hellinikon project is completed.

The highly-anticipated and dogged by delays urban regeneration project slated for the former Athens airport in the coastal suburb of Glyfada, is entering the final stretch, said Alternate Economy Minister Stergios Pitsiorlas this week.

Speaking to Praktoreio 104.9 radio, Pitsiorlas said “things are moving ahead at an impressive pace given the difficulties,” referring to the multi-billion-euro project.

“Getting past the Presidential Decree was the major issue. We now have a Presidential Decree approved by the Council of State, with a unanimous decision from the plenary… with standard procedures under way,” Pitsiorlas said, adding that investor Lamda Development, “will submit its final plans and by September, two joint ministerial decisions will have been issued concluding the first phase of licensing thus paving the way for the start of construction”.

In the meantime, environmental groups and citizens of surrounding suburbs to be affected by the project have been appealing to Greece’s highest court to annul the Presidential Decree, claiming it is “unconstitutional and illegal with regard to a large section of forest area” and that there is a lack of transparency with regard to this area.

So far, three appeals have been filed, the latest from residents of Alimos, Voula, Glyfada, Piraeus and Kallithea. The previous legal actions were taken by residents from Hellinikon, Agios Kosmas and Argyroupolis and environmental groups and societies.

Photos: https://thehellinikon.com