Authorities have swiftly intervened following revelations about constructing a five-star hotel near the iconic Sarakiniko beach in Milos.
Environment Minister Theodoros Skylakakis has confirmed that the project’s legality is now under official scrutiny.
Immediate Action Taken The Ministry of Environment and Energy has responded urgently to the approval of the building permit granted to Unique Development. Minister Skylakakis, speaking to Protothema.gr, emphasized the government’s firm stance: “We cannot accept this kind of development in this area.” The Ministry has formally referred the matter to the National Transparency Authority to assess the validity of the permit, given that Urban Planning Offices (ΥΔΟΜ) fall under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of the Interior. As a precautionary measure, all construction work has been ordered to cease until the permit is fully reviewed.
The Controversial Project According to official permits, Unique Developments ATEE, owned by entrepreneur Dionysis Koumoudos, intends to build a two-story luxury hotel complex with a basement and swimming pools in the Kaminia area of Milos. Spanning a total of 19,000 square meters, the hotel’s built-up area is expected to cover 2,974 square meters—just meters away from one of Greece’s most breathtaking natural landmarks.
Protothema.gr recently uncovered and published exclusive images and official documents regarding the project, drawing widespread public and political attention.
Excavation Threatens Milos’ Pristine Landscape The revelation that heavy machinery has arrived to excavate the unique, fossil-rich volcanic rock of Sarakiniko has ignited outrage. The beach, ranked among the world’s most beautiful locations by Condé Nast Traveller, is famed for its surreal, moon-like landscape.
“Who authorized this destruction?” asks Milos’ mayor, Manolis Mikelis. He has vowed to seek a temporary freeze on all new hotel permits on the island, where 15 five-star hotels are currently under construction. He advocates for a protected zone 100-150 meters from the coastline in key areas, including Sarakiniko, to prevent unchecked development.
Public Outcry and Legal Challenges Residents of Milos are mobilizing, calling the project a direct assault on their island’s natural heritage. Some compare it to hypothetical construction scenarios on other Greek icons: “Would we allow developers to excavate the Acropolis for luxury residences? Or build a resort on Navagio Beach in Zakynthos?”
Environmentalists warn that the area is a refuge for the endangered Mediterranean monk seal, raising serious ecological concerns. Additionally, Sarakiniko’s unique geological formation over millions of years may suffer irreversible damage if construction proceeds.
A Call for Stricter Protections The mayor of Milos underscores the urgent need for regulatory reforms, highlighting that local authorities currently have no legal say in approving such projects. “Laws changed after the financial crisis, making it far easier for powerful developers to push projects through under-resourced planning offices,” Mikelis explains. Milos, for instance, has only one urban planner, making thorough oversight nearly impossible.
“We support tourism and investment,” Mikelis states, “but not at the cost of turning the island into concrete and erasing its cultural and natural identity. Some areas must be officially designated as landscapes of outstanding natural beauty and protected accordingly.”
Next Steps With mounting public pressure, the Ministry of Environment is expected to enforce a full construction freeze while reviewing the project’s environmental impact. Mayors from neighboring islands will also meet in the coming days to discuss the growing concerns of unregulated development threatening Greece’s most treasured landscapes.
The fate of Sarakiniko now hangs in the balance as residents, authorities, and conservationists oppose unchecked tourism expansion.
Source Proto Thema
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