The General Directorate of Spatial Planning, Environmental and Agricultural Policy of the Decentralized Administration of the Aegean, approved under terms and conditions the Environmental Terms of the existing activity, which concerns the establishment and operation of a thermal center in the location of Therma in Polichnitos, Lesvos, with the lessor being the company TKC KOLEKSION S.A.
Specifically, the municipal spring “Ippokrates” is located 1.5 km southeast of the settlement of Polichnitos, in the area known as “Therma”. The Thermal Therapy Unit refers to existing bathhouse buildings, with a total area of ??199.62 sq.m., on an area of ??30,010.48 sq.m., a short distance from the recognized source. Part of the area, namely the stream bed, constitutes a small island wetland and is protected by the Presidential Decree “Approval of a list of small island wetlands and determination of conditions and restrictions for the protection and promotion of the small coastal wetlands included therein”, however, the area of ??the facilities is outside the above-mentioned protected area.
Furthermore, the unit is also located outside a NATURA-protected area, outside the seashore, beach zone, public property and outside an archaeological zone.
Buildings of 1892
The buildings included in the existing activity are not listed monuments, but are of architectural interest, as they are stone ground-floor structures first erected in 1892.
It is noted that the operation of the bathhouse buildings was continuous with minor interruptions, but since September 2018 they have remained closed.
The decision states that no other, new constructions of building infrastructure are planned, nor are any works to pump water from the thermal spring. Furthermore, the water from the Hippocrates spring is led to storage tanks with a flexible surface pipe made of high-quality and durable plastic, while the thermal spring is pumped to the surface with a small pump from its outlet.
In order to ensure the re-operation of the baths, only the internal configuration of the existing building, with a total area of ??199.62 sq.m., was deemed necessary.
The work to be carried out to create the center, so that it meets all modern requirements, includes, among other things, demolition and dismantling in accordance with the new study of the premises and the proposed layout in the final study, plumbing and electrical installations, in accordance with the new regulations. Particular attention will be paid to the plumbing installations, as part of them will transport thermal water and for this reason the use of special pipes with non-corrosive material is required. Thermal water will be transferred to the swimming pools that will be formed.
As part of the work, the roof will also be repaired where necessary, so that it does not present water leaks and visual damage, new walls will be constructed according to the new layout of double plasterboard with a metal frame and floors, walls and ceilings will be covered with pressed cement mortar, resistant to permanent exposure to water.
As for the surrounding area, external structures will be added to it that do not affect the protected landscape, will not be permanent in nature and their form will be fully and immediately reversible. Health and wellness services will be provided in these facilities.
Cleaning and deforestation will also be carried out with respect to the special flora of the area and will always protect the natural environment, while walkways will be constructed with materials that are friendly to the natural environment and without excavating or filling the ground.
In addition, 3 relaxation stations will be constructed using wooden pergolas, wooden floors, and awning shades, and 3 existing hot spring water ponds will be highlighted, using stones and other natural materials.
Finally, a playground will be constructed in the surrounding area, while the planting of the wider area will be done with mainly low shrubby vegetation and the installation of an irrigation system for them, outside the boundaries of the island wetland.
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