Construction
permits increase 238%
West
Crete Journal, February 2007
In a bid to halt illegal building (and of course raise money for the
government), construction permits have been increased from €44
to €105 per square metre, as of 20 February 2007.
Although startling in arithmetic terms, it means that the cost of an
average 100 square metre house will increase by around €6,100
- thankfully minimal compared to the average build cost of €120,000:
about 5% more.
The government will allocate 5% of the permit fees to fund council
inspection teams, which will inspect each building at three stages,
with the powers to stop construction if it does not comply with the
permit. Another percentage (unknown) is earmarked for the creation
of a GPS-based Land Registry.
In addition, to stop the current practise of converting "covered
areas" such as tiled pergolas, covered verandahs, basements, etc.,
into habitable rooms after connection of electricity, these will be
counted towards the maximum allowed building area (usually 200 or 400
square metres).
In a move designed to speed up the planning process, construction
permits will have to be issued within 40 days of application, otherwise
the applicant can take the council to an appeal tribunal.
Our comments: (a) this could be the best thing that's ever happened
to Greek property planning law; (b) this is open to central government
/ large developer abuse.
So in the next few months, let us assess whether:
- the extra construction permit funds raised by central government
find their way to local councils;
- those councils allocate extra staff to form inspection teams, and
can meet the 40-day turn-round period;
- speedy and efficient tribunals are created to hear planning appeals
within a reasonable time;
- council inspectors are impartial when dealing with large developers.
Only time will tell. |