Athens (AFP)

On the Greek island of Corfu, an unlikely coalition of wealthy landowners, environmental activists and angry locals has sprung up after a luxury resort was officially launched in July in a pristine and unspoiled forest.

The Kassiopi property worth 120 million euros is located in an Erimitis pine forest, in one of the most unspoiled areas of the island near the Albanian coast.

New York-based investment fund NCH Capital, which obtained the title deeds in 2016, plans to build a five-star 90-room hotel, luxury residences and a marina.

Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitstotakis had already drawn the wrath of environmentalists for having encouraged investments in protected natural areas.

Among these projects, the exploration for hydrocarbons in the Ionian Sea, rich in marine fauna, as well as the promotion of wind farms on the Greek islands.

But this time, the project also displeases wealthy owners of Corfu.

- "A total disaster" -

During his visit to Corfu on July 11 to inaugurate the Kassiopi project, Kyriakos Mitsotakis faced surprising opposition from one of the island's most successful owners, British financier Nathaniel Rothschild, a member of the famous family. bankers.

In two tweets, Mr Rothschild called the project a "total disaster" which will bring Corfu back to "the mass development of the 1970s" and "do nothing for the local economy".

The financier says there that the preserved coast of Erimitis risks "destruction" and adds that "Mitsotakis is foolish to defend this project".

Another notable opponent is British financier Ben Goldsmith, brother of Conservative Minister Zac Goldsmith.

A privileged vacation spot for wealthy families like the Agnellis in Italy, north-east Corfu has been renamed by the British media "Kensington-sur-mer".

A group of around 200 British owners in Corfu called on Kyriakos Mitsotakis to back down.

"To build a hotel of the type proposed, in this preserved and historic ecosystem, with the resulting damage to wildlife, the sea and the natural forest, would be an affront to all those who care about the environment ", wrote to the Prime Minister the association of owners of Corfu last year.

They warned of a possible "widespread disapproval among friends of Greece around the world".

Others criticize the too low price - 23 million euros - for a 99-year concession in the virgin forest with a breathtaking view of the sea.

The tender for Kassiopi was launched by the Greek privatization agency in 2012.

It had received the approval of the archaeological and forestry services of the country and had won in the face of a dozen complaints in the courts.

The Council of State, the highest administrative court in Greece which settles environmental disputes, has also approved the project.

Work began in June with the destruction of a former Navy observation post.

- "It's good for Corfu" -

During his visit, Kyriakos Mitsotakis considered that the project was "good for Corfu and for the country".

He added that Greece "needs" high-level tourism that "enhances" the territories and "respects" the environment.

The government estimates that the project will create 1,000 jobs during the construction phase and 500 during its operation.

Of the 49 hectares, he assures us that only 7% would be built, and this with bioclimatic architecture and fire-fighting and seawater desalination systems for irrigation.

And the green spaces and the beach will remain public, NCH Capital said.

The Prime Minister considers that a supervised development of natural spaces according to strict rules is preferable than "doing nothing".

"In many cases, unused land is no incentive to protect the environment," he said.

The city council is also firmly opposed to the project, the mayor of the north of the island having even participated in a demonstration.

On the other hand, the regional governor of Corfu is in favor of it, believing that Greece must regain "investor confidence".

© 2020 AFP