Kibkom North Cyprus Forum

A friend of mine forwarded the attached photos and I thought I share it with the good kibkom crowed.

Esentepe is building a model "Bungalow" overlooking the beach "right on the edge of the cliff". Its one of 50 units to be put in place. Each unit compromising of bedroom, lounge, kitchen and a balcony right on the edge of the cliff. The structure is built of steel frame base and footing is held on 3 5" pin metal bars each resting on flimsy rocks. the rest of the structure is made of timber.. Check it out yourself and cast an opinion...
No structural Engineering nor proper safety measure put in place. Assuming the bungalow hosting a family of 4-5 some are children. Say no more....

By the way, at the lower parts "on the slopes" the natural shrubs, flora and fauna will be replaces with a "Hotel" to serve the locals and attract tourism. All the habitat, shrubs & rocks will be taken away "destroyed" and a fancy hotel will replace them.

I do not condemn progress and tourism in the area, but I don't think the project thought of through or and executed properly, hence, a major environmental catastrophe in its way equally devastating to Lara Hotel. Not talking about the structure, but talking about loss of the local habitat.

Esentepe seems to be working alone and the planning authorities & the Department of the Environment are unaware of this major transformation. They only awarded permission for beach and restaurant facilities. But then someone decided to extend the permission to bungalows & hotel".

Check out the photo and comment.... sorry kibkomers NOOOO photos tried to download and Failed
will try again

fatsam
No rest for the wicked

Well if the local TC community want this, who are we 'visitors' to stop it?

Its not the issue of locals want such a project. The point is the local authority is not doing its job. The bungalow to start of with is located at the edge of the cliff and not constructed in accordance to basic health and safety / risk assessment.

This structure will be occupied by families with children and one can see level of danger they are exposed to. No evidence of structural Engineer involvement and supervision.

Their is no evidence of partnership and understanding between the Esentepe local authority and the Department of Environment, Planning Department. We need working together strategy to achieve best result that satisfy all.

Local needs, Tourism & Environment should not clash, all can serve each other in a positive way. All we need is to direct the people to the correct path and make them aware of the consequences of incorrect act.

The Earth belongs to all, look after it.
fatsam

fatsam, why should Esentepe Belediye be any different from the many others constructing here? If you feel unsafe there, do not use the facility and by all means warn local TCs of your views. The TC concern for their environment does not exist: beach/picnic area rubbish, forest vandalism, construction placements etc et al. I understand there is an Esentepe Forum. Perhaps you could raise your concerns there also?

"Esentepe Forum"??? very interesting. Could you please tell me how to be in touch with them???
Has the Esentepe Forum web page??? Any name you are aware off??

I respect your views yet I disagree with you in how to address the issue. Educating people to respect natural nature gift is time and energy consuming. If we fail first time, we try again and again and again until someone with ethics listen and guide us to correct channels.

appreciate your response

fatsam

Oh crikey, that looks dreadful. We're perched extremely close to a horrible drop, so I can appreciate what it must look like. I don't agree that we should let locals think that everything is OK in their land. People said that about tigers in Northern India and Elephants in Africa (not withstanding poachers) but the indigenous people are slowing coming to realise that flora and fauna brings in tourists and improvements to their way of life. Its taken time and a lot of energy and education. Why should locals here be exempt and thus allow their beautiful country to be ransacked by greed and ignorance.

fatsam, I equally share your concern and right to voice it. However, during my 34 years relationship with Cypriots (of both backgrounds) I have realised they neither care of are prepared to protect the environment they have to enjoy -it is a sad fact of life I'm afraid. The more militant have even challenged me for highlighting my concerns with comments such as this our country, its not Western Europe, its our land etc. My wife has local primary school contact with the Head and teaching staff and asked if the protection of the environment could be introduced into the school curriculum in order future generations would lead the way and educate their parents/relatives. Fell on deaf ears and stony ground. There is no planning permission, H&S, environmental scoping studies worth anything here and what there is, is ignored due to graft and illegal payments. C'est la vie!

sophie, locals are exempt because this is their choice and has been so for many years. If you ever visit the Adriatic states and go inland you will find their beautiful country destroyed by illegal tipping of mattresses, fridges, washing machines, cars et al. It is a Mediterranean trait I'm afraid.

Well said Sophi,
Anyone can tell me anything about "Esentepe Forum"?. Need to Alert the members to act and bring the issue forth.

I still say, if the local Esentepe council insisting on the path of change, someone from high above must work with them to make the project win-win situation.

Sorry fatsam, forgot your request: http://www.esentepecyprus.org.uk is the link.

download/file.php?id=8813&mode=view


Gobsmacked!

I've never seen anything so ridiculous

That is atrocious!

Can you imagine 50 of these alongside the shore, and the havoc they may bring with each.
I Love to see how they deal with
Electricity
Sewage,
water supply
Adequate parking facilities
Adequate safety facilities
communication facilities...
etc., etc., etc.,

I wish someone nudge the government and wake it up before its too late

fatsam

@ fatsam and Sophie, great posts thank u just glad we are west lolx

-electricity is available.
-water connections are in place.
- parking facilities are plenty....
- sewage disposal and communications can easily be installed.
- safety...usual Cyprus standards.

Have you visited the site.?

- the builder started the construction of the first unit less than a week ago and its not finished yet.

- perhaps we should wait and see what the finished unit looks like before showing concerns and scaremongering about safety.

I for one welcome this development- it's a great project for Esentepe.

Will Esentepe Belly De Yesi get their deeds?

Will a memorandum be put on the property?

Will the construction(s) be sold twice?

Will the builder claim bankruptcy?

Will Esentepe have to wait more than 12 years for the construction to be habitable?

Will Esentepe need to pay more than £100.00 a month for builder's electricity?

Will Esentepe be legally blackmailed for a lorra extra money?

Will Esentepe be subject to extortion to get electricity connected?

Will Esentepe advocates help them to the best of their ability?

Will I live long enough (72 now) to see my home completed, have the deeds in my hand and with domestic electricity?

Will pigs fly?

Will I stop moaning about my situation - please see above?

Are you sure these are for living in,or are they going to be like those silly beach huts they have in the UK that people with more money than sense pay up to 200K for.
The pictures show what to me looks like a 12 foot by 8 foot shed which may be leased on seasonal basis.

The pictures are misleading

The Mayor of Esentepe asked the supplier to set up a temporary shell to ascertain the size and best position for each of the 50 units.

As previously mentioned this is not the finished unit or its final location.

Much to do about nothing at the moment.

Art, so true. Why do UK-expats continually whine about what the locals do and how they do it, expecting the locals to conform to UK-expats standards/wants? Reminds me of the old colonial days of missionaries and you'll accept our religion or else. If life here is so awful here that you have to bleat, whine and bemoan, please exercise your freedom of right and depart elsewhere. Rant over!

I'm all for open debate and difference of opinion but at the very least expect the posting to be factual.

And yes I agree I'm not here to impose my views on the locals.

In many ways they have a much better life than many Brits in the UK.

Living in Esentepe I for one am not knocking it, The old eyesore of a restaurant has been demolished the beach has been cleared of most of the rock which has been re-cycled, A new restaurant is now being built, lets wait until it is finished before we comment, I personally think it can only be good for the area.

Lotttidotti, people do have a choice on what they want to spend money on, if they want a beach hut and can afford one then why not, do people tell you what you have to spend your money on?
Can someone tell me why whenever there is a disagreement on here the UK has to be brought into the argument?
Just get on with the life you have chosen to live and let us get on with our lives.

Art my friend
keep it clean and don't be mean I always say.

I have visited the beach and looked at the "bungalow" and I confirm the photos sent to me and posted are true and "factual". NOT misleading as you have suggested. Please, Don't call me a liar, you don't know me and I don't know you, so, keep it clean and don't be mean.. I do not pull pranks nor exchange debates with shallow characters..

Here is my argument:

obviously you have no idea on
* Principles of health and safety, and risk assessment. No person in his right of mind initiate the construction "a sample" on the edge of a cliff just to see if it fits or not.... Well, it leaves a lot to be said here.
Steel frame with footing kept in place by three 15mm metal bars resting on small rocks , is dangerous and should never be allowed to be done even as an experiment. Since when health and safety is "wait & see game"!!!!

* Partnership is the language used by all professionals who care about the Environment. The Esentepe authority needs to work within a frame and adopt a strategy Where is the Department of the Environment give guidance and support to evade Irreversible damages to the environment hard to rectify.
I stood on the rocks and looked at the beach, and all I see is a landscape that is to be ruined by lack of understanding of the nature of the ground. The shrubs, the wild life to be wiped. If only they talk to the department of the environment and the planning department and seek the best solution for such project.
Diging out native shrubs and plants , and replacing them with Palm trees??!!! Bringing palm trees and planting them randomly, to create that touristic feeling, No Sir, it does not work that way.. only fools and the ignorant praise such behaviour, and I am not one of them

I am an old man brought up two respectful girls and taught them "to my best ability" to respect others, respect the world we are living in. They talk language of people, humans AN NOT "THEM & US / LOCALS AND EXPAT".

True, I don't live in Esentepe, but doesn't mean I accept wrong and pretend its ok to cause a damage TO THE ENVIRONMENT.
The intention of the local authority is good, but the execution method is WRONG. I leave it to the people of the TRNC to judge the project. Please visit the site and see for yourselves. As for me I still say its wrong approach.


Don't be mean, keep it clean (don't call me misleading "liar")
fatsam

Art wrote:The pictures are misleading

The Mayor of Esentepe asked the supplier to set up a temporary shell to ascertain the size and best position for each of the 50 units.

As previously mentioned this is not the finished unit or its final location.

Much to do about nothing at the moment.

I could have saved him some time and money.

Hanging a shed over the cliff is not the best position.

Where do I apply for a surveyor's job?

Hedge-fund
Spot on my dear Fella, spot on
You got the point


You're nearly there... The earth is ours look after it
fatsam

Fatsam,


Sorry that I appeared to offend you it wasn't my intention.

I'm unable to see anything in my reply that would suggest you are a liar- I merely pointed out that given that the finished unit and its location is likely to be moved the photograph is misleading and as of yet there is no confirmation that a hotel is being built.

I live in Esentepe and believe this project when finished will benefit the area in many ways.

This is just my opinion which I doubt very much you will agree with so let's just agree to differ and wait and see the outcome of the finished project.If it's anything like the project in Tatlisu it will be great for the area.

I also live in Esentepe and have looked forward to this project since it was first mentioned 3 years ago.

Unfortunately with all new outdoor projects some things get damaged. I am thinking about the new roads and all the
trees that were lost, now the laying of the new water pipes is causing damage to the hedgerows tearing up trees again.
It takes years to recover but eventually nature does recover and the indigenous shrubs find there way back.

Let us wait and see and if as Art says it turns out like the beach at Tatlisu then we will have nothing to worry about.


The butlers wife

I too live close to Esentepe and applaud the Mayor's initiative. He has organized a number of measures to 'tidy up' the village and its surrounding areas. Let us await the final outcome of the beach improvement before belittling it. I guess there will always be NIMBY's and tree-huggers bemoaning progress. However, if the TC community of Esentepe want this project - so be it. As I said in an earlier post, if you have concerns, do not use the facility, my family and guests certainly will.

Interestingly 4 years ago Esentepe didn't have a Supermarket,Chemist,ATM or a Bank where you could pay the electricity bills.We now have all of these facilities which can only benefit the entire community not just the expats.

It's great to have a forwarded thinking Mayor and it's a lovely place to live.

The Esentepe project looks like it is trying to replicate that of Tatlisu Belediyesi's Zambak beach project or do something similar (minus the pier). If so, then I'm sure that when it is completed, it will be welcomed by people in the Esentepe district and beyond. However, the Zambak chalets do appear to be much superior and not precariously sited. The project may compensate to a degree for the loss of Lara beach in the district.

I agree that Esentepe Belediyesi should be applauded for their efforts in tidying up the area.

The Alagadi Turtle Project have removed the turtle nests from the Esentepe Beach as the turtles are no longer welcome on it since development began.

I live in Esentepe and am really looking forward to using the beach, once completed. I have been watching the project develop and I'm quite sure it will be a very welcome amenity and will be supported by many.
Well done to all involved.

It has been said so many times: there is a difference about moaning about local customs and practice and making constructive criticism,
when you see a serious mistake being made. You are allowed to warn them if they are about to walk over a cliff (no pun intended) And it is unfair to tar all the "locals" with one brush - quite a number do care about the environment of their country and what is happening to it and welcome support from committed expats who want to conserve what is good and are not just here to change it according to what they get out of it.

As for the proximity to the cliff edge, is there to be a fence (which will further destroy the views for others). Personally I would not want to take my dogs to live (or even holiday) let alone young children so close to a cliff edge

Has anyone done a geological survey and checked what the composition is of the cliff and if it will bear the weight of the constructions and associated infra structure.

And to think we used to boast that North Cyprus had the only remaining unspoilt coastline around the Med.

As previously mentioned the photograph is very misleading as the Mayor of Esentepe has made it clear the unit at this stage is just a show house and the fianal position of the 50 units including the one in the photograph has yet to be decided.

I suspect a boundary stone wall with access gates leading to steps down to the beech will form part of the final project.

I don't think for a moment that the Mayor would allow any dangerous buildings to be constructed - who would use them if he did?

For more info visit.

meteor.org.uk

Art my friend,
You apologised for offending me., yes you are offending me and offending the logic

Photos are clear and NOT MISLEADING,. please do not cause further insult. Misleading =untrue=lying . Your way of putting an excuse for poor safety in construction is very poor, and insulting to the basic intelligence of a simple minded shepherd. Explain how the attached photo is misleading???? Are you a structural Engineer? and you approve the method as common in construction???!!!!
Please, allow others to make up their mind.

The topic I've raised IS NOT CRITISIM OF PROGRESS... It is for the purpose of RAISING AWARENESS of things NOT TO BE DONE, taking into consideration safety of the public, protection of local habitat and caring for the environment. This requires partnership my friend, partnership.


I for one not interested in intention, I merely interested in method of execution of the project and, AND HOW TO ACHIEVE AND MAINTAIN POSITIVE PROGRESS. I have been and saw how it is carried out.

I hate to imagine you taking your children for a walk alongside that structure. come on be fair and stop defending wrong.

AS FOR THE ESENTEPE PROJECT I TRULY WISH IT SUCCESS IN ALL AREAS. HOWEVER, I HOPE IT FOLLOWS COMMON SENSE.


Don't be mean Keep it clean. No more input from me in this topic
fatsam