The Cyprus Property Development Association has urged authorities to accelerate the issuance of building permits in cases involving the transfer of building coefficient from listed properties, citing delays of over a year that are stalling projects and discouraging preservation efforts.

During a meeting on May 23 with the Limassol District Local Government Organisation. representatives of the association raised concerns over bureaucratic setbacks that are undermining a key incentive for the protection of listed buildings.

The meeting was attended by organisation president Yiannis Tsouloftas and the organisation’s licensing management team. Representing the association were vice president Antonis Kakoullis, board member Lefteris Konstantinou, and general manager Mersina Isidorou.

According to the vice president, the conservation sector of the department of urban planning has shown significant delays in the procedure of transferring the building coefficient onto the title deed, a necessary step before a building permit can be issued.

Kakoullis said in some cases, the delays stretch beyond 12 months, effectively freezing development and limiting the use of a mechanism designed to incentivise restoration and reuse of listed buildings.

To resolve the issue, the association proposed that the obligation to complete the transfer of the building factor be moved to the final approval stage.

This would allow developers to secure building permits earlier and begin construction while ensuring the transfer is finalised through a guaranteed mechanism.

Such a move, the Association argued, would ease supply-side bottlenecks and help bring more properties to market, contributing to greater price stability in the real estate sector.