In Gazipaşa, the concrete plant project was halted due to an Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) report
The Environmental Impact Assessment (ÇED) process for the five-star hotel project with 2,508 beds, planned by Adil Üstündağ in the protected area of Gazipaşa, has been canceled. Local residents and environmentalists, welcoming the decision, said, "We have been celebrating for days."
Adil Üstündağ, owner of the Greenpark hotel chain, failed to address the deficiencies outlined in the ÇED report within the one-year timeframe. As a result, the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization, and Climate Change canceled the ÇED process for The Greenpark Gazipaşa project. The hotel, which would have created a massive concrete structure on a protected beach, faced criticism for its potential impact on flora and fauna. The company was given until January 8, 2024, to resolve these issues, but they remained unaddressed. After objections raised by the "Gazipaşa is Ours" platform and a subsequent review, the Ministry decided to terminate the ÇED process for the project.
A PERMANENT SOLUTION REQUIRES CHANGING THE COASTAL PLAN
Architect Esin Bilgiç, a member of the municipal councils of Gazipaşa and Antalya from the CHP party, commented on the decision to Yeni Alanya. She stated: "We welcome this decision for Gazipaşa. The area behind the proposed hotel is a first-degree protected site, while the front is home to Mediterranean seals and sea turtles. The front yard of the hotel encroached on public spaces. Moreover, according to the ÇED report, they planned to use drinking water to fill the pool. Last year, during an election period in March, they aimed to start construction. We attended the Ministry of Environment and Urbanization meeting in Ankara, where we explained the damage the project would cause to nature, the environment, and coastal areas. Now, the next step is to revoke the coastal development plans finalized in 2019, as similar projects may arise. We will closely monitor this process."
WE HAVE BEEN CELEBRATING FOR DAYS
Güldane Şahin, spokesperson for the "Gazipaşa is Ours" platform, said: "We have been celebrating this decision for days. We fought hard for it. However, this doesn’t mean there won’t be future hotel applications. We will continue our struggle, particularly to protect the unique natural pools and the nursery area in Koru. This area was leased to a Black Sea company for 49 years, and we are still fighting. The 840-page ÇED report was meticulously reviewed by our retired senior agricultural engineer, Associate Professor Dr. İbrahim Gedikoğlu, who made great efforts. Thanks to the contributions of our team, we clearly demonstrated the deficiencies in the project. Now, we are preparing to tackle other issues, such as the planned expansion of Aytemiz's storage facilities, which reportedly have been sold to Russians. If these facilities are expanded, it would be like placing a bomb under Alanya and Gazipaşa. This cannot continue, and we will take action. As before, we will win again."
