Dispute over Garitsa Anemomylos Park

The discussion concerning the park, the residents, and the businesses operating there has begun. The mayor’s proposal, as stated during the assembly of the association’s members, to double the area allowed for outdoor seating and tables met with strong opposition from the association. On Monday, the issue will be brought before the session of the town’s Municipal Unit Council, where the mayor’s position is expected to be presented, marking the official start of the process, which will go through all necessary stages before reaching the Municipal Council’s final decision.

This is where things get stricter, as the maximum allocation of outdoor seating per business falls under the Corfu Urban Operations Regulation, approved by the decision of the Ministry of Culture and Sports.

Around 20 food and beverage establishments operate within the park, each eligible for an outdoor seating area of up to 45 square metres, subject to approval from the Archaeological Service. Former mayor Kostas Nikolouzos, under whose tenure the regulation was drafted and approved, gave a reminder in an official statement that the Central Archaeological Council (KAS), which has jurisdiction over the area since it is designated as a protective zone for the town/monument, has strict oversight. Back then, KAS had even rejected the municipal proposal to introduce aesthetically pleasing pergolas to delineate each business’s outdoor space. Only umbrellas, they ruled—no permanent structures!

The authorities responsible for issuing permits and overseeing the use of outdoor seating in the Garitsa and Anemomylos park are:

• Municipality of Central Corfu and Diapontia Islands – Through the Financial Committee and relevant departments such as Urban Planning and Sanitation, the municipality issues permits and ensures compliance with the Urban Operations Regulation.
• Archaeological Service (KAS) – Since Garitsa and Anemomylos are classified as archaeological sites, KAS must approve any use or intervention.
• Decentralised Administration of Epirus – Western Macedonia – Oversees the legality of local authority decisions and can review objections or complaints.

Beyond the anticipated conflict of interests, the state of the park is increasingly returning to pre-redevelopment conditions. The newly planted grass has disappeared, and the drip irrigation system has sustained extensive damage—so much so that it will be difficult to restore functionality. The Poulimenos municipal administration rushed to accept the redevelopment project before it was even completed, leaving many operational issues unresolved, including the regulations governing the businesses. Notably, the redevelopment did not include areas that had been informally claimed by businesses, resulting in a mix of new vegetation growing alongside construction materials and other intrusions!