**Limassol Residents Prepare to Protest Against Planned Ayios Athanasios Mall**
Residents of Limassol are gearing up for a demonstration in response to the recent cabinet approval of a planning dispensation for a new shopping mall in Ayios Athanasios. The project, estimated to cost €95 million, has sparked significant opposition from local community groups and officials who express concerns about its potential impact on traffic and the quality of life in the area.
The protest is organized by the ‘Alliance for Limassol,’ which announced that the rally will take place on Friday at 6 PM, outside the Jumbo store parking area on Ayios Athanasios Avenue. The group has called on members of the public to join them in opposing the development, criticizing the government's decision as having been made “without sufficient consideration of the city’s existing problems.”
The proposed shopping mall, which is backed by CAC Papantoniou Ltd and Swillmatch Ventures Ltd, is set to feature approximately 28,434 square meters of commercial space, including 90 shops, restaurants, and a cinema. The project has garnered support from a consortium of businesses involved in other major developments, such as the Nicosia Mall and Athienitis Supermarkets.
Despite the cabinet's approval, the project has faced significant backlash from various stakeholders. The Amathounta municipality and Limassol's mayor, Yiannis Armeftis, have expressed their opposition, alongside the technical chamber (Etek), which recommended rejecting the license due to traffic concerns. Local authorities argue that the development could exacerbate existing traffic congestion, with reports indicating that certain parts of the local road network are already operating beyond capacity, with saturation levels reaching up to 138% at some intersections.
In defense of the project, the government has stated that the mall is intended to balance commercial activity between the western and eastern parts of Limassol, noting that My Mall already serves the western side of the city. Officials argue that the area designated for the mall is already transitioning towards a mix of offices, superstores, and other commercial activities, making the project compatible with ongoing developments.
However, the traffic issue remains a significant point of contention. Under the approved conditions for the mall's construction, developers are required to implement a series of road improvements before the mall opens. These improvements include the construction of new roundabouts, widening specific sections of Ayios Athanasios Avenue, and establishing a new pedestrian crossing. Additionally, the project includes €500,000 allocated for compensation measures, which will fund environmental and community projects, road enhancements in the industrial area, and affordable housing initiatives within the Limassol district.
Local officials, including Amathounta mayor Kyriakos Xydias, have criticized the cabinet's decision, claiming that local authorities were sidelined in the approval process. Xydias has called for the publication of environmental and commercial impact studies to better understand the potential consequences of the mall on the existing commercial landscape. Mayor Armeftis has echoed these concerns, suggesting that the proposed compensation measures do not adequately address the potential negative effects of the development.
The opposition extends beyond local authorities, with political parties such as Akel accusing the government of prioritizing specific economic interests over the environmental, social, and developmental needs of Limassol. The Ecologists party has labeled the decision as “scandalous” and is considering legal action against the approval. Meanwhile, the political party Volt has highlighted the heavy traffic at the Ayios Athanasios junction, which currently accommodates around 90,000 vehicles daily, calling for a comprehensive traffic study that encompasses surrounding developments.
The ‘Alliance for Limassol’ has emphasized the need for a sustainable development approach, advocating for improved green infrastructure and immediate measures to address traffic congestion. They are urging all concerned citizens to participate in the upcoming protest to send a clear message to the government regarding the community's apprehensions about the mall's potential impact.
As the protest approaches, the situation remains tense, with many residents and local officials closely monitoring the developments surrounding the Ayios Athanasios mall project and its implications for the future of Limassol.