Eight years after construction began, Prince Luxury Events in Lympia, Nicosia district, continues to operate despite outstanding planning violations, with the Audit Office criticising the authorities for failing to take effective enforcement measures.
In a new memorandum examining developments since its previous report, published in April 2025, the Audit Office concludes that the state remains unable to enforce planning legislation effectively.
The events venue continues to breach key conditions of its permits. However, the authorities have largely limited their response to issuing warnings, with no evidence of fines or further court action.
The venue attracted public attention in April 2025, when the previous Audit Office report was published. At the time, its owner publicly maintained that all required permits had been obtained legally and without interference.
Court case withdrawn on district officer’s instructions
One of the most significant findings in the new memorandum concerns a court case filed against the owner in 2018.
The previous report found that construction had begun without the necessary permits and continued despite a court order to stop the works. Construction was completed in 2020, even though the initial planning permit application had been rejected.
The final outcome of the court proceedings had not been clarified at the time.
The Nicosia District Administration has now informed the Audit Office that the case, which concerned construction without a permit and disobedience of a court order, was withdrawn on the instructions of the Nicosia District Officer.
The decision followed the issuance of a building permit in 2023.
The Audit Office expressed serious concern, warning that such practices weaken the law. It argued that obtaining a permit retrospectively could allow those responsible to avoid consequences for earlier violations.
Warnings issued but no effective enforcement
In May 2025, the Interior Minister rejected the owner’s appeal against an earlier notice concerning the violations, upholding the decision of the planning authorities.
In October 2025, the Nicosia District Local Government Organisation (EOA) issued another notice, demanding that the events venue restrict its operations to the approved areas. It warned that failure to comply could lead to fines or court action.
However, the Audit Office found that no substantial measures had been taken beyond the notices.
An on-site inspection in April 2025 also confirmed that unauthorised structures and changes to approved areas remained in place. Certain works required in the outdoor areas had also not been completed.
Six planning applications since 2018
According to the Audit Office, six planning applications relating to the development have been submitted since 2018.
In November 2025, the Nicosia EOA rejected two applications concerning changes to the original permits, citing the venue’s use of areas beyond those approved.
A new application was submitted on November 21, seeking permission to use the premises as a music and dance venue, obtain permits for some of the unauthorised structures and install folding partitions inside the building.
The Audit Office said the repeated submission of new applications had led to the same conditions imposed by the Council of Ministers being examined again and again. These included the demolition of unauthorised structures and the use of part of the premises for film productions.
The process was also delayed by a disagreement between the Department of Town Planning and the EOA over which authority was responsible for examining the applications. The issue was resolved in July 2025 following intervention by the Interior Ministry.
EOA gives conditional support to latest application
Despite the outstanding issues, the EOA told the Audit Office that in May 2026 it had forwarded a positive opinion, subject to conditions, on the latest application to the Planning Board for Derogations.
This does not mean that final approval has been granted.
The organisation said it had acted in accordance with the law and noted that the area designated for film activities had previously been used for filming. It also acknowledged, however, that the existing legal framework has weaknesses when it comes to enforcement.
The Audit Office stressed that the examination of new applications cannot justify failing to address existing violations.
It also pointed out that Prince Luxury Events continues to operate without a certificate of approval. This means that compliance with public health and safety requirements has not been secured through the prescribed procedure.
The Audit Office concluded that tolerating such cases creates unfair competition and undermines public trust in the state.
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