Construction at the resort complex Riverside Village in Irakli-Emine, which sofiaecho reported on January 29 was under way despite the fact that the area was a Natura 2000 protected area, has been stopped by the regional inspectorate for environment protection and waters (RIEPW) in Bourgas.

The tip-off for the illegal construction of investor Swiss Properties came from civil group Save Irakly, dir.bg said.

According to RIEPW, the construction permission which had been granted, was in violation of the law, Burgasinfo.com said.
The construction permission had been issued by the Nessebar municipality on September 20 2007, but a compatibility assessment permit had not been issued, propertywisebulgaria.com said. The Bourgas municipality will be fined for this omission.

In August 2007, RIEWP had warned the investor that construction could not start without a compatibility assessment permit. At the same time it had warned the Nessebar municipality that issuing a construction permit on the territory of Irakli without a compatibility assessment permit would be regarded as a violation of the law on biodiversity.

Construction is suspended until the RIEWP issues a decision on the case and a compatibility assessment with the Natura 2000 and Environmental Protection Act's purposes is done.