Supreme Constitutional Court confirms permanent closure of Melios Zoo Park

The Supreme Constitutional Court of Cyprus has dismissed an appeal filed by Menelaos Menelaou, the owner of Melios Zoo Park located in Agioi Trimithias, upholding a previous administrative court ruling. The legal dispute centered on the denial of planning permits, the refusal to extend existing licenses, and the decision not to renew the park's operating license. Authorities identified numerous violations, including unauthorized expansions on both private and state-owned land and significant deviations from approved site plans. Additionally, the park introduced large carnivores without adhering to required safety standards and failed to provide an adequate water supply. The court ruled that the owner's claims were either unsubstantiated or not presented to the administration in a timely manner. It also clarified that its role is limited to reviewing the legality of administrative decisions rather than re-evaluating technical evidence. Consequently, the court ordered the owner to pay 4,000 euros in legal costs. This final judgment mandates the permanent closure of the facility due to persistent non-compliance with urban planning and regulatory requirements.