Control protocol and criteria for the approval of applications about interventions on water streams and riparian areas within planning development zones.
In 2012, within the framework for the implementation of the provisions of the new Integrated Water Management law, the WDD reviewed and updated its policy on applications about interventions on water streams and/or riparian areas within planning development zones. The review and update study of the policy of the WDD included the preparation of a procedural protocol for the assessment of the intended interventions and the determination of specific criteria for the approval of the applications aiming to:
| 1. | Inform the public. |
| 2. | Ensure that cases are handled as transparently as possible. |
| 3. | Common basis for processing applications and therefore, processing all applications in the same manner by the WDD. |
| 4. | The codification in the form of flow charts, the approval criteria and the relevant procedures for the implementation of the policy so as to simplify and speed up the processing of applications. |
| 5. | Saving time and resources in the public and private sector through a quicker response of the WDD to questions raised by Planning Authorities, Government Departments, District Administrations, Local Authorities etc about applications by public and private operators regarding developments affecting water streams and riparian areas. |
| 6. | The protection of the environment in accordance with the provisions of European Framework Directive on Water, 2000/60/EC and the corresponding Cypriot harmonising legislation (The Protection and Management of Water laws of 2004 to 2012) and |
| 7. | The protection of citizens and their properties from floods in accordance with European Directive on Floods (2007/60/EC) and the corresponding Cypriot harmonising legislation (the Assessment, Management and Handing of Floor Risks Laws of 2010 and 2012) aiming at the prevention of floods. |
The approval criteria concern the 5 main types of intended interventions on water streams and/or riparian areas, in other words applications about:
| 1. | The right to cross a water stream. |
| 2. | Cancellation of a section of a water stream. |
| 3. | Dislocation of a section of water stream. |
| 4. | Undergrounding or enclosure of a section of a water stream. |
| 5. | Development of a plot which is either adjacent to a water stream or is crossed by a water stream. |
The WDD prepared a relevant
Leaflet (posted in Greek)
For more information, you may contact the
Hydrology and Hydrogeology Division