In the heart of Lakatamia, Lake Mangli is a unique natural treasure — a true oasis within the urban fabric. However, the opportunity to bring it under public management was lost because the responsible authorities failed to implement the Cabinet’s decisions.
The story begins in 2011, when the Town Planning Council decided that during the development of neighbouring plots, the mandatory open public space would be allocated to the lake area, so that the entire site would gradually be acquired by the state.
Yet this provision was never applied. In none of the planning permits for land subdivision around the lake was the relevant condition imposed, leaving the property in private hands — primarily those of the Holy Monastery of Kykkos.
Four options were recently examined. Land exchange with state property was deemed unviable due to the low value of the plots. Expropriation runs into the issue of Church ownership. Declaring it a Conservation Area would protect the site but would not resolve the management problem.
The only realistic solution, according to the Interior Minister, is amending the Special Provision as part of the upcoming revision of the Nicosia Local Plan. A new chapter is opening — provided this time the decision does not remain on paper.
