Planning Permit Waiting Time

[waldymar]

Dear Community,
Our developer submitted all the documents for obtaining a planning permit about 9 months ago. He is saying it's not yet been approved. Isn't it too long? If I have the application number, can I myself find out about its status? If yes, please advise how to do it.
Thank you in advance.
V

[Nigel Howarth]

Hi waldymar

9 months is far too long to wait for planning approval.

To check yourself, visit the local planning office with the application number and ask.

Regards

[waldymar]

Nigel,
Thank you for your quick reply.
I was reading here that the Limassol Town Planning Department was supposed to move to a new place after the elections. Do you know the new address?
Thank you in advance.

[Pantheman]

Hi waldymar

9 months is far too long to wait for planning approval.

To check yourself, visit the local planning office with the application number and ask.

Regards

Nigel,

Unfortunately 9 months even though is too long, it is normal and can be worse. I had to await 8 months for a renewal!

Yes the planning office is the place to go or call. Quote you application number and ask for its status.

[tom.want]

Dear Community,
Our developer submitted all the documents for obtaining a planning permit about 9 months ago. He is saying it's not yet been approved. Isn't it too long? If I have the application number, can I myself find out about its status? If yes, please advise how to do it.
Thank you in advance.
V

Let us know when you find out. Some of us are interested to know how long it currently takes in reality.

[espghia]

I think the lead-up to the 'supercouncil' elections that happened on 9 June are the culprit of the delays. Bureaucrats are jostling for positions in the upcoming merged councils (and campaigning for their preferred candidates) and have little time to do actual work. Unless you know someone in the planning department, I suspect you will have longer to wait.

[waldymar]

Let us know when you find out. Some of us are interested to know how long it currently takes in reality.

Dear All,
Let me update you. Long story short - the case was not yet reviewed because of the municipal reform and moving to new building.
Phoning them - didn't work, nobody answered. So, I decided to visit them in person in Limassol. It ended up to be a quiz as I was sent over to 3 different locations. At the last location a nice lady helped me with trying to find out about my application. Hence, I was provided with the case number, the responsible person and his contact number. I was calling for a week - nothing. No choice, went to their office asking for a responsible person. He was at the meeting, a lady took my details saying they will revert to me. As you might guess, nobody reverted, of course. Next week I visited their office again. When a security person asked if I had a randevou, I confirmed. The responsible person for my case accepted to recieve me. It ended up to be a very kind and educated person. He acknowledged the delay and said that my case is a priority. I asked for an expected time my file to be examined. He said that in august it should be done. Okay, not 1st year in Cyprus, it means if it happens in September - I would be happy. Additionally, I asked for his direct phone number to follow up via phone. He kindly gave me his assistant number. Now, every week I'm in touch with his assistant. Today she said that next file is mine and it should be done by September.
Fingers crossed!

[tom.want]

Thanks for the update waldymar. Looks like currently it may take about a year or so.

[hopefulhousebuilder]

I thought the backlog was going to be cleared before they moved over to a new system...?

Did you get your planning permission yet?

[Nigel Howarth]

Please check out my recent article Building permits backlog & brown envelopes.

Regards,

[Ynella]

I totally get how frustrating that wait can be—9 months feels like ages. When I was dealing with a similar permit, I found that most local councils let you check the status online using your application number. Just look for the planning section on their website. If that doesn’t work, reaching out to them directly can also help clear things up.