Sarakiniko, Milos.
The Greek Ministry for the Environment and Energy has announced a freeze on construction permits for areas requiring special protection on the island of Milos.
The decision, announced by Environment and Energy Minister Theodoros Skylakakis, follows public outcry sparked by media reports about the construction of a five-star hotel near Sarakiniko, one of the island’s iconic white rock beaches.
According to Skylakakis, the government is introducing, for the first time, a comprehensive spatial and city planning framework to safeguard both natural and urban environments.
“This includes Local and Special City Plans covering 80 percent of the country’s territory,” the minister said, adding that the initiative marks a significant reform and a major investment in Greece’s future.
Environment and Energy Minister Theodoros Skylakakis. Photo source: Environment and Energy Ministry
The reforms are part of a broader effort to regulate development in sensitive areas. Skylakakis noted that the total investment for these spatial planning reforms amounts to one billion euros, funded by the Recovery and Resilience Facility. The initiative will also introduce an artificial intelligence-based monitoring system designed to detect illegal construction.
Focus on Milos and future actions
While the Greek government prepares to implement the new Special City Planning framework, concerns have emerged about extensive — and in some cases illegal — construction in popular tourist destinations and ecologically sensitive areas.
On Milos, delays and reliance on outdated data allowed the local municipality’s planning office to approve construction permits that will now be reexamined.
In response, Minister Skylakakis, in collaboration with Deputy Minister Nikos Tagaras, announced a temporary freeze on all construction permits for the areas of Sarakiniko and Ahivatholimni until the government’s City Plans are finalized.
“We will take similar action in other areas where there’s a risk of irreversible damage due to activities that undermine our ongoing planning efforts,” Skylakakis added.
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