A new glamping development in Peristerona, Paphos, has been approved by the Cyprus environmental department, despite its proximity to the Natura 2000 protected area “Sarama Valley.”
The project, located 125 metres from the protected site, received approval after an August 1 assessment concluded that construction would not cause “irreversible damage.”
The assessment was conducted by Nicosia-based I.A.CO Environmental & Water Consultants Ltd and examined the potential impact of the €1 million project, which will cover 22,743 square metres of agricultural land.
Of that, 3,034 square metres will be reserved for public spaces, including green areas and community facilities.
Construction plans include 20 dome-shaped cabins covering 419.51 square metres, an amphitheatre, playground, dining facilities, a biological wastewater treatment plant, and 35 parking spaces.
The site is expected to operate year-round, accommodating an average of 54 guests, with capacity reaching 72 during the peak holiday season from May to September. The project has an estimated construction timeline of 12 months.
Environmental concerns were considered during the review, particularly regarding endangered bird species and plants in the Sarama Valley. While the report noted possible risks such as habitat reduction, species disturbance, and noise, it found that the site does not overlap with migratory bird corridors.
“On the basis of the management plan of the area, the area of the proposed project is not included in part or in total inside the limits that shape the passages and corridors of transit of migratory wild birds,” the report stated.
The department’s findings confirmed the presence of 32 plant species, none of which are included in Cyprus’ red flora data book of rare and endangered plants. The land, previously cultivated with wheat, also contains almond and olive trees, but was deemed unsuitable as nesting or feeding ground for species from the neighbouring Special Protection Area.
To limit environmental impact, the project is required to use the existing electricity grid, restrict guest numbers, plant 250 new trees, and adopt measures to reduce light and noise pollution.
“Therefore, the construction and operation of the proposed project can be approved, since the rational design is not likely to significantly affect the species of the area,” the department concluded.
BirdLife Cyprus, a member of the ad-hoc committee reviewing the plans, initially expressed reservations.
However, changes made by the developer, including moving domes further from the protected area and removing open fire spaces, led the group to withdraw opposition at a second meeting.
“This included the removal of any open fire spaces, moving the domes further away from the protected area, and so on,” BirdLife campaigns coordinator Tassos Shialis told the Cyprus Mail.
He added that the group accepted the project on the condition that environmental permit requirements are upheld, including restrictions on lighting, electricity expansion, outdoor noise, and construction during the March to July breeding season.
For professionals in the outdoor hospitality sector, the approval highlights how glamping projects in sensitive environments can move forward when developers engage early with regulators, adapt designs to address environmental concerns, and commit to operational restrictions.
The case also reflects a broader trend where environmental compliance is increasingly shaping tourism infrastructure, underscoring the importance of balancing visitor demand with ecological safeguards.