Separate urban planning service of which hospitality enterprises with more than 300 beds and all major tourism investments will obtain or consider building permits, is created in Ministry of Tourism. The creation of the service is aimed at faster issuance of permits tourist siteshowever, it reinforces the urban “polyarchy”, depriving the construction services of a common picture of what is licensed in their area of ​​responsibility.

The challenged provision (along with various other normative acts) is included in the draft law, the main subject of which is to provide assistance to the relatives of those killed and injured in the Tempe railway accident. This is an evolution of the Special Service for the Promotion of Tourism Investments (EYPATE), which was created in a completely different economic environment in 2011 (Law 4002) to support investment in tourism.

Initially, EYPATE was a service that offered information to investors and granted permits from the Ministry of Tourism for hotel units with more than 300 beds and tourist villages (tourist accommodation complexes). Along the way, the service was “enriched” three more times (laws 4179/13, 4688/20, 4875/21) with the extension of its competence to all models of organized tourism investments, to 4-5 star hotels and – especially to East Macedonia and Thrace – in all departments with more than 50 beds.

Role expansion

It will not only inform investors, but also “hold to account” agencies that are delaying or refusing to grant some of the required permits.

With the new regulation, the role of EYPATE has expanded even further. It not only informs investors, but also “demands an explanation” from agencies that are delaying or refusing to grant some of the required permits. In addition, it will include the urban planning department, where building permits (new or modified) are submitted. e-adeies electronic system.

This service will also facilitate environmental licensing, with the final license being issued Ministry of the Environment. According to the explanatory report, EYPATE “in the course of its work contributed to the achievement of tourism development goals, fulfilling the operational task of facilitating large investments in tourism by reducing and simplifying licensing procedures. The choice of a legislator to join EYPATE directly first with the Minister and then with the Secretary General for Tourism Policy and Development, on the one hand, gives the service the necessary administrative flexibility to provide personalized services as a one-stop shop. “On the other hand, it allows bilateral communication of strategic targeting and the most direct cooperation with the political leadership in the field of attracting large tourism investments.”

Flaws

However, the creation of a system of parallel licensing has many disadvantages. Firstly, this is done in a ministry that is not connected with urban planning and environmental legislation (and in fact there is already a central service for issuing “large” building permits). Second, it encourages the fragmentation of building permits, bypassing local building authorities, who will be forced to enforce planning legislation for permits they have not issued and are not in possession of.