Nessebar: Municipality Responds to Violations Around "Elenite"

Nesebar: The Municipality Responds to Accusations of Violations Regarding "Elenite"

Nesebar, Bulgaria - In response to increased public interest and a series of public allegations concerning violations around the "Elenite" holiday village, the Mayor of Nesebar, Nikolay Dimitrov, and the Chief Architect of the Municipality, Valentin Dimov, addressed the public through a video message. Both stated their willingness to present the full chronology of the emergence, status, and construction of the complex, emphasizing that the municipal administration acts solely on the basis of official documents and strict procedures.

The video message comes against the backdrop of heightened public interest, triggered by various events in the area. Given the atmosphere of tension stemming from these events, the local administration is trying to dispel doubts about alleged irregularities.

Mayor Dimitrov stressed that in recent days allegations have been circulating that the municipal administration has "harmed" Nesebar. He announced that lawyers are already preparing a platform through which various individuals, including prominent figures on social networks, will be called upon to present documentary evidence for their claims. "We also have families. The truth must be shown. The municipality works with documents," the mayor said, recalling previous media scandals in which the municipality had been accused without grounds.

A significant emphasis in the video message was placed on inspections for illegal landfills above "Elenite." According to the mayor, in 2017 the municipality informed the Regional Inspectorate of Environment and Water (RIEW), after which illegal dumpsites with construction and household waste were found. Despite the acts drawn up, including those for significant sums, the sanctions were appealed and overturned by the court at two instances. The lack of a legally binding sanction has made it difficult to finally clear the dumpsites, which, according to the mayor, remains a factor for "anomalies" in the area.

Another key issue addressed in the video is the ownership and maintenance of the road within the complex. Chief Architect Valentin Dimov presented documents and court decisions according to which the problematic section is not municipal, but is located on private property with a pass regime. Hence the conclusion of the municipal administration: the municipality has no right to perform unilateral actions for maintenance and clearing of territories beyond its competence and ownership, except in cases specifically defined by law.

The Chief Architect also outlined the chronology of "Elenite." The complex was established by a decision of the Council of Ministers in 1974, when lands were removed from the forest and agricultural fund. During the period 2000-2001, privatization occurred, with approximately 240-260 decares of urbanized territory being joined by about 1000 decares from the former forest fund. In 2003, the cadastral completion was carried out, and the municipality's objection to parts of the area was rejected. In 2006, the Municipal Council approved a building plan, regulating the old construction and arranging the new territories.

Regarding building permits, the Chief Architect explained that after the introduction of the regime under the Law on Spatial Planning (ZUT), each project passes either through a comprehensive assessment by a licensed consulting firm, or through a meeting of a municipal expert council. Large facilities are put into operation through the State Acceptance Commission (Act 16), and smaller ones - with a certificate based on a report by the construction supervision. The author's supervision by the designers is a mandatory element in the process. "One architect cannot unilaterally decide to approve a project. Responsibilities are distributed - client, designer, construction and author's supervision, commissions and control bodies," Dimov said.

The mayor also set a broader context for the intensity of construction in the region, pointing out that normative changes from 2004 for Sunny Beach have increased the permissible indicators (coefficient of intensity), which is beyond the direct will of the municipality, but affects the overall urban picture. According to him, such decisions are made at the national level and follow their legal procedure, and the municipalities apply the current regulatory framework.

In response to questions about "illegal objects," Dimitrov insisted on specifics - whether entirely illegal construction, reconstructions, deviations from indicators or other violations are being targeted. He stressed that the municipality keeps all the documentation for permits, communications, announcements and commissioning, as the archives are public and verifiable. "There is no way for someone to sign something separately and hide it. Everything is traceable," the mayor said.

At the end of the address, the two emphasized that they would assist all inspections by the competent institutions and would seek their rights against defamatory claims. "We will not be scapegoats of social networks. The truth about "Elenite" is in the documents and court acts," Dimitrov and Dimov summarized, leaving the door open for additional public clarifications and for other areas if necessary.