Plakias Forums

Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 03, 2007, 04:31:23 PM

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 03, 2007, 04:31:23 PM
I have just been sent a link to this site http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.a...306#contactinfo (http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.asp?site=1&c=y&sess=64709306#contactinfo) .It looks like just the sort of development non of us really want to see in Plakias
Tony
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 03, 2007, 05:38:31 PM
What do the farenders think about having 432 appartments and villas down that end (if the artists impression on the site is to be believed)?
Tony
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chris H. on October 03, 2007, 07:28:53 PM
No kidding! Phew, that looks...uhhhh....frightening?
Bulgarian Star Properties. Eastern Europe free enterprise, in other words, cowboys, what a shame....nothing much one can do about it I suppose
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ploppy on October 03, 2007, 07:40:01 PM
Yes we heard all sorts of rumours about this development whilst we were out there, none of them good
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on October 03, 2007, 08:57:52 PM
i think there's no doubt this development is happening

here's the pipework ready for laying in the field next to the peligramnos

(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/203681157-M.jpg)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on October 04, 2007, 07:55:34 AM
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
I have just been sent a link to this site [url]http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.a...306#contactinfo[/url] ([url]http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.asp?site=1&c=y&sess=64709306#contactinfo[/url]) .It looks like just the sort of development non of us really want to see in Plakias
Tony


This web site states that the airport is 5km away. Do they know something we dont?

Pete&Dawn
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 08:25:12 AM
I checked out th Bulgarian Star Properties site, and couldn't find a mention of this development anywhere.

Pie in the sky??  We can all hope!  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 04, 2007, 08:35:18 AM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
I have just been sent a link to this site [url]http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.a...306#contactinfo[/url] ([url]http://www.holprop.com/s/GR115351/sale-2.asp?site=1&c=y&sess=64709306#contactinfo[/url]) .It looks like just the sort of development non of us really want to see in Plakias
Tony


This web site states that the airport is 5km away. Do they know something we dont?

Pete&Dawn



That will be "Asomatos International Airport"   then!!!

Tony
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 08:39:11 AM
I think it's been mentioned before but Frankocastelo would make an ideal airport.

george g...


What does 'Off Plan Property' mean?????
added 9.50am

g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 04, 2007, 09:55:58 AM
Quote from: George
I think it's been mentioned before but Frankocastelo would make an ideal airport.

george g...


What does 'Off Plan Property' mean?????
added 9.50am

g...


Off plan means that a potential punter buys the property before its built ie you cant see the bricks and mortar( or concrete) but buys on the basis of a plan.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 10:02:51 AM
Thank you Tony.

Seems a bit risky to me!

I'll wait for phase two, £200.000 is a lot to risk on something that doesn't exist.  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 04, 2007, 10:07:22 AM
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 10:10:24 AM
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
Que sera sera!  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on October 04, 2007, 12:27:29 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
Que sera sera!  

george g...
We certainly won't be buying. When Plakias Panorama was first advertised it seemed like a convenient way to get a place in Plakias but now that they're being built, the apartments look far to close to each other so we're glad we resisted the temptation. The location of this development  is very good but if, eventually, there's going to be over 400 of them, it will be very cramped. If it changes the character of Plakias and the Far End, then we'd probably be wanting a quieter resort like Souda or Amoudi
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 01:25:29 PM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: George
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
Que sera sera!  

george g...
We certainly won't be buying. When Plakias Panorama was first advertised it seemed like a convenient way to get a place in Plakias but now that they're being built, the apartments look far to close to each other so we're glad we resisted the temptation. The location of this development  is very good but if, eventually, there's going to be over 400 of them, it will be very cramped. If it changes the character of Plakias and the Far End, then we'd probably be wanting a quieter resort like Souda or Amoudi
As I've said, let's wait for phase two, that's if phase one ever materialises.

I still think this is a marketing ploy to see if there's any interest.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 04, 2007, 04:40:18 PM
Sorry Guys, a bit more info for you:

http://www.plakiasresort.com/ (http://www.plakiasresort.com/)

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Butties on October 04, 2007, 06:49:48 PM
Quote from: George
Sorry Guys, a bit more info for you:

[url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url])

george g...



Hell Bells, don't know what to say, really quite shocked!!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on October 04, 2007, 11:24:54 PM
bugger, i swear they've used one of my pics from the top of timos stavros in that slide show as well!!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on October 05, 2007, 07:33:08 AM
Quote from: George
Sorry Guys, a bit more info for you:

[url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url])

george g...


I see that the contact details are in the UK at Broadheath, Altrincham.
I have e-mailed them for information about timescales.
When I know more I will post it on the board.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 05, 2007, 08:20:20 AM
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
I think I've stated before on this site, and Harribobs will back me up that this development as the Panorama development at the top of the hill would be the last place on earth that I would buy into, it's horrendous, it's 'Eldorado'   .
Perhaps when the potential buyers realise that the airport is 2 hours away, and not 5klm, they'll think twice!  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chris H. on October 05, 2007, 03:47:04 PM
Hahaha, ROFL, Rofl......

Guess what, I mailed them for info and pricelist and this is what they state at the bottom of the pricelist:

'FOR EVERY BUYER 2 MOUNTAIN BIKES WILL BE OFFERED FREE OF GHARGE'

Wow! big deal, all the apartments will be sold real quick this way
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: jenny on October 05, 2007, 06:08:59 PM
Going to Plakias tonight with a few mixed feelings.

We will walk past the building site twice a day for the next 7 days and will bring back whatever info we can find out.

Deep sigh.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Butties on October 05, 2007, 06:17:16 PM
Quote from: Chris H.
Hahaha, ROFL, Rofl......

Guess what, I mailed them for info and pricelist and this is what they state at the bottom of the pricelist:

'FOR EVERY BUYER 2 MOUNTAIN BIKES WILL BE OFFERED FREE OF GHARGE'

Wow! big deal, all the apartments will be sold real quick this way

Maybe the mountain bikes are to help with the airport transfer?
Really though, I know we should try to see what is best for the future of Plakias and its residents, but those artists impressions looked terrible, reminded me of several areas of Cyprus that I have seen 'developed', uniform, featureless seas of concrete.
And I'll be honest, I would be very sorry to see Plakias go down that route.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: compage on October 06, 2007, 10:05:02 AM
It was inevitable that this would happen.
After all, why would Plakias be any different from all the other good places to go to on holiday?

We should be thankful that it didn't happen sooner.
Since our first visit in 1991 we have seen Plakias develop from being slightly less than perfect through being virtually perfect and now it is less than perfect again.
It is all downhill from here.

We shouldn't complain too much.
After all, those of us who have used this forum to sing the praises of Plakias for the last few years must bear some of the responsibility for the popularity of Plakias.
With the benefit of 20/20 hindsight and given my time over again I would be telling the world how bad it is in Plakias.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on October 06, 2007, 02:44:00 PM
If this happens it will really spoil Plakias and probably put paid to the "far end". Let's hope it doesn't happen or in reduced form. I think Plakias has changed more in the years I have known it than my other favourite resorts and that saddens me. Maybe as Compage has said this forum is partly to blame.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Greecemad on October 06, 2007, 11:05:19 PM
The first time I came to Plakias I hadn't much idea of what the place was going to be like. I saw the photograph in the brochure showing the beach, which was almost empty and there was almost an empty space behind it from the Alianthos to the far end. I speculated that this was an old photograph they had, to make it more appealing, and that there would be a string of large hotels behind the beach, or hotels under construction. Thankfully, apart from one small block opposite the Alianthos, the photograph was true to life and, apart from the umbrellas and the surfaced road, it is largely like that today. So we can be thankful that development has not come faster than it has.

Like everyone else, I don't welcome this development as it will change the place. However, seeing the website and knowing what has happened in other parts of Greece, I don't think it should be all gloom and doom for far-enders because of the following:

1. The far end is backed by sand dunes, so it can't be seen from the road or any development behind it.
2. The development doesn't look to be directly behind the far end, it looks to be a bit nearer to the village.
3. It is not an hotel, it is private houses. So I would have thought that some would be second homes and so not occupied all the time. And if people are living there permanently, they are unlikely to want to go to the beach as often as people on holiday. (I realise that some, however, but not all, will be bought as investments and let off to tourists for holidays). Also, there appears to be a large pool in the middle of the development, which will lessen the number of people that want to go to the beach.
4. Where I have seen new developments behind clothing-optional beaches in other parts of Greece, it is only the part of the beach directly in front of the development that has been affected.
5. The far end is one of the few places that I know where almost everyone is nude and I think the number of nudists is increasing. In most other places I go, nudists are often in the minority and in decreasing numbers, therefore more likely to be overun.
6. There is always Mikro Ammoudhi, amongst others in the vicinity.

Plakias will always have a certain attraction to it. There was one year (about 1997 I think) when I decided that Plakias wasn't for me because of the way it had developed (That was the first year of the train, first time umbrellas had appeared on Micro Ammoudhi and the year that the 'road' was built around the headland from Damnoni to Mikro Ammoudhi). So I stopped going to Plakias, then after a 5 year gap (partly due to stumbling across this bulletin board and reading it) I went back and have been back twice since.

Greecemad
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: compage on October 07, 2007, 02:47:30 PM
Quote from: Greecemad
...
1. The far end is backed by sand dunes, so it can't be seen from the road or any development behind it.
...
The land rises rapidly beyond the Paligremnos, at least as high as the sand dunes.
If you walk from any part of that road towards the sea, you do not have to go uphill to cross the dunes.

There is currently no development close to the road beyond Paligremnos until you get to the Plakias Bay Hotel at the end of the road.
However, one day in late September this year, early one morning, I watched a man working in that area with a theodolite..
He was on the beach side of the road with his instrument and it was aimed across the road.
I could not see his assistant with a striped pole but assume he was out of my view behind trees.

Quote from: Greecemad
...
2. The development doesn't look to be directly behind the far end, it looks to be a bit nearer to the village.
...
On the landward side of the road, from the Paligremnos going towards the village there is the Paligremnos car park, a childrens playground, a little spare land, the small road going up towards the main road which it joins at the top of the hill and then there is the land for the development along with its current stack of pipes ready for installation.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 08, 2007, 08:54:14 AM
Quote from: Chris H.
Hahaha, ROFL, Rofl......

Guess what, I mailed them for info and pricelist and this is what they state at the bottom of the pricelist:

'FOR EVERY BUYER 2 MOUNTAIN BIKES WILL BE OFFERED FREE OF GHARGE'

Wow! big deal, all the apartments will be sold real quick this way
I spoke to a guy from 'Bulgarian...' and he told me exactly the same thing Chris, and I said to him that he must be kidding, although he did say that that was not confirmed. I might be having second thoughts now, I haven't got a mountain bike...  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on October 08, 2007, 01:14:30 PM
What's   ROFL?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on October 08, 2007, 01:25:58 PM
Quote from: Greecemad
I don't think it should be all gloom and doom for far-enders because of the following:

1. The far end is backed by sand dunes, so it can't be seen from the road or any development behind it.
2. The development doesn't look to be directly behind the far end, it looks to be a bit nearer to the village.
3. It is not an hotel, it is private houses. So I would have thought that some would be second homes and so not occupied all the time. And if people are living there permanently, they are unlikely to want to go to the beach as often as people on holiday. (I realise that some, however, but not all, will be bought as investments and let off to tourists for holidays). Also, there appears to be a large pool in the middle of the development, which will lessen the number of people that want to go to the beach.
4. Where I have seen new developments behind clothing-optional beaches in other parts of Greece, it is only the part of the beach directly in front of the development that has been affected.
5. The far end is one of the few places that I know where almost everyone is nude and I think the number of nudists is increasing. In most other places I go, nudists are often in the minority and in decreasing numbers, therefore more likely to be overun.
6. There is always Mikro Ammoudhi, amongst others in the vicinity.

Greecemad

I hope you are right Greecemad. I just remember what happened in Skala, Kefalonia, in 2002 (see Captain Barefoot). Apparently the lack of a "far end" beach now means many travellers no longer go there.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ploppy on October 08, 2007, 01:31:27 PM
Rolling On Floor Laughing

Can be extended to ROFLMAO

... My Arse Off



Quote from: Barny
What's   ROFL?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on October 09, 2007, 07:22:52 AM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
Quote from: George
Sorry Guys, a bit more info for you:

[url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url] ([url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/[/url])

george g...


I see that the contact details are in the UK at Broadheath, Altrincham.
I have e-mailed them for information about timescales.
When I know more I will post it on the board.


I now have a response from Fastro Developments:-

"The whole development will take approximately 5 years to build. Phase one build is due to start early next year and is scheduled for completion in March 2010. The show villa should be ready for next spring"

Seems strange that the first phase of only 43 villas is going to take 2 years, and the remaining 389 villas a further 3 years.

Pete&Dawn
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 09, 2007, 01:22:38 PM
[attachment=527:Tektonas_Sign.jpg]
Sorry to worry you all again, but we have this one to contend with as well.
If you check out the website, you'll find out exactly where it is.

I emailed them yesterday, but have had no reply as yet.

We all have a good idea of our opinions about what's going on, but the locals seem to be very quiet. I'd be interested in what they have to say after all they will have to live with it!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on October 09, 2007, 01:32:47 PM
Can Santa or Ali give us worried regulars any information about what is going on?

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on October 09, 2007, 02:16:09 PM
Where dost thou find this sign?  I think their website shows a place somewhere between the Alianthos and the former Meltemi club. They are also building their stuff in Sellia and Damnoni... All the same,  boring: welcome to Disneyworld!
This is the soon end for the place we loved!

shinaria  
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 09, 2007, 02:44:20 PM
Quote from: shinaria
Where dost thou find this sign?  I think their website shows a place somewhere between the Alianthos and the former Meltemi club. They are also building their stuff in Sellia and Damnoni... All the same,  boring: welcome to Disneyworld!
This is the soon end for the place we loved!

shinaria  

The sign is posted on the wall of the building next door to Antoni's Place, and the website shows the land around the back of the bar where the sheep usually graze.    

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 09, 2007, 04:05:35 PM
I see this thread has already made it into Google, and it's just above the 'Holprop' site.

I put 'Plakias Development' in search.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chris H. on October 09, 2007, 07:40:50 PM
When I made my reservation last week for next year I asked Sofia (Limani/Olive Grove) what she thought of the new developments, she just said: 'Yes, it's a pity' , that was all she had to say about it...... apart from the fact that such a big new project could  mean a threat to the relaxed and much apreciated atmosfere in Plakias I can imagine that a lot of the locals have mixed feelings, like for example Sofia, she has apartments so there will be more competition but she also runs a giftshop so there will be more turnover when many hundreds of well off new people arrive in town. So many of the Plakias people will also profit from all this happening and it must be confusing for them to deal with these mixed feelings. Dunno, maybe I'm just blabbering or maybe I make sense.....
Another thing is, it may be interesting to keep track of how many of these apartements/villas are actually sold over the next 1/2 year or so. I mailed them about a week ago and asked for their pricelist, they sent it to me right away. Eleven properties out of 53 were 'reserved' , none were sold. Maybe it's an idea if one of you people asks for their pricelist in a few weeks time and then someone else again and so on and on. Idea?
Chris H.

ps. I really, really wonder what sort of people would buy property like that, for sure not regulars (I suppose) As it is supposed to be 5 star quality will people that can afford 5 star property (the very cheapest are  200.000 euro's, vat not included!) find Plakias good enough to their spoiled likings, I mean, if they arrive one day for an inspection of the area and (let's hope!) it's a windy day they'll get sandpapered and will never return. And if there is no wind and they walk around the village they'll come to the conclusion that it all looks a bit too shabby for their liking......wishfull thinking? or not.....
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Doggie on October 09, 2007, 09:45:17 PM
Quote from: Chris H.
When I made my reservation last week for next year I asked Sofia (Limani/Olive Grove) what she thought of the new developments, she just said: 'Yes, it's a pity' , that was all she had to say about it...... apart from the fact that such a big new project could  mean a threat to the relaxed and much apreciated atmosfere in Plakias I can imagine that a lot of the locals have mixed feelings, like for example Sofia, she has apartments so there will be more competition but she also runs a giftshop so there will be more turnover when many hundreds of well off new people arrive in town. So many of the Plakias people will also profit from all this happening and it must be confusing for them to deal with these mixed feelings. Dunno, maybe I'm just blabbering or maybe I make sense.....
Another thing is, it may be interesting to keep track of how many of these apartements/villas are actually sold over the next 1/2 year or so. I mailed them about a week ago and asked for their pricelist, they sent it to me right away. Eleven properties out of 53 were 'reserved' , none were sold. Maybe it's an idea if one of you people asks for their pricelist in a few weeks time and then someone else again and so on and on. Idea?
Chris H.

ps. I really, really wonder what sort of people would buy property like that, for sure not regulars (I suppose) As it is supposed to be 5 star quality will people that can afford 5 star property (the very cheapest are  200.000 euro's, vat not included!) find Plakias good enough to their spoiled likings, I mean, if they arrive one day for an inspection of the area and (let's hope!) it's a windy day they'll get sandpapered and will never return. And if there is no wind and they walk around the village they'll come to the conclusion that it all looks a bit too shabby for their liking......wishfull thinking? or not.....

The reason we all love Plakias is the reason why a developer will want to invest in the area and when we were in Plakias last June for a brief visit, we found the local residents a bit ambivalent about new development. I thought they would be happy to see more business potential but in fact they were happy with the status quo! More visitors more residents = more work. The same problems are being seen around Ag. Galini and Timbaki with the prospect of a deep water container port funded by China as a doorstep into the lucrative EU markets. The Athens based Government think it will provide employment to the region but the local residents just don't want to see the commercialisation of such a beautiful part of Crete. I was left with the impression that the official aim was to have a permanent resident popultion of around 4,000 for Plakias. Bit of a sea change there then. Would I want it? Would Sofia at Limani and Marcos at the patisserie (forgot the name of his fab chill spot!) want it? I suppose in the name of progress, I would accept it.

The leaves in Scotland are now touched with the most vibrant Autumn colours reflecting in the rivers and lochs. Maree and I were on the Thames at the start of October wondeful clear sunshine, and I am just back from Manchester this evening to the Scottish Boders pxxxing with rain. The UK country side is glorious. So why do I miss the scorched scented mountains and gorges and beaches of Crete.......God knows but we'll be back!

ATB to all..Doggie
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 10, 2007, 11:39:10 AM
So, what's going to happen to the unfinished building ('bar'?) opposite the beach bar, that they are using for loos at the moment? I didn't see that on the plan, so are they going to knock it down or build around it. If they leave it there it could be a nice little feature folly for some ones front garden  .
It's a shame that place was never finished, I recon it could have been quite popular.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: thomas on October 10, 2007, 12:22:29 PM
i have found this http://www.tektonas.gr/pub/developments.as...=de&devid=5 (http://www.tektonas.gr/pub/developments.asp?lang=de&devid=5)
    thomas
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 11, 2007, 11:54:06 AM
Reply from 'Tektonas':

Quote

We thank you very much for the shown interest in our company. Currently we are proceeding with the plans for our new project in Plakias. We are intending to develop their apartments and houses.
I will forward you detailed information as soon as it is available. Of course you will also be able to visit our website and find the necessary details.

Please do not hesitate to get in touch with us for any further requirements you might need.
With kind regards
Brigitte Wauters
Sales Dept.

Unquote

If they haven't got any detailed information now, it' going to be some time before this one gets off the ground!!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on October 14, 2007, 05:09:49 PM
Don't panic - I clicked on the "Map" link ..... apparently, the place they are on about is "Plakias Greece, Alabama, US of A" - that may explain why the airport is only 5k away.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on October 14, 2007, 05:22:47 PM
Quote from: Chas
Don't panic - I clicked on the "Map" link ..... apparently, the place they are on about is "Plakias Greece, Alabama, US of A" - that may explain why the airport is only 5k away.


The photos look like Plakias CRETE to me not Alabama USA!!

Tony
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on October 14, 2007, 06:09:52 PM
T&S - I forgot the "tongue-in-cheek" smiley  
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on October 16, 2007, 10:35:06 AM
I just created an overlay with the plan of suburbia and "our" plakias map... It fits with some existing roads. If I did not very wrong there seems to be an empty space between the Ghetto and the old town. A place for the new Grecotel?!

May the Meltemi blow it all awy...

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 16, 2007, 11:15:43 AM
It looks a heck of a lot smaller than I envisaged, at least Antoni's looks safe!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on October 16, 2007, 12:01:18 PM
I can't guarantee that the size is absolut correct, as there is only one road that fits 100% with an existing track and a few that  seem to connect with others in a logical way. I think the empty space will be the gulf area or the 5star-hotel mentioned before ... Maybe Mr. Al-Jaizani will tell us if I'm right or wrong?! Don't want to minimize your project!

Maybe like this?....

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on October 16, 2007, 01:27:05 PM
Quote from: shinaria
I just created an overlay with the plan of suburbia and "our" plakias map... It fits with some existing roads. If I did not very wrong there seems to be an empty space between the Ghetto and the old town. A place for the new Grecotel?!

May the Meltemi blow it all awy...

shinaria
I thought it was nearer the far end than that.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 16, 2007, 01:31:12 PM
It must start in the field next to and across the road from the Peligremnos. That land has been up for sale for some time, so that's my guess!

george g....
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ali & Dave on October 16, 2007, 05:17:35 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Can Santa or Ali give us worried regulars any information about what is going on?

Mike



Mike

Sounds like people surfing the web are finding out as much as us.  But a couple of points

1.  The tektonas development is outside Lefkoyia, like the Gasparakis people they are just advertising within Plakias.
2.  With this big new development I think it is in partnership with Grecotel.  All the way throught their bumpf they mention a hotel chain.
3.  I'm puzzled over how this big development is 90% of planning permission granted for Plakias as all the fields around where we live (up lane behind Palegremnos) has been cleared and marked out by surveryors.  So either the map is wrong or the planning permission percentage is a load of.......

Apart from above I'm afraid we're in the dark at the moment, maybe once we stop working and getting out socialising we may find out more.

Ali
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on October 17, 2007, 08:07:15 AM
Thanks Ali, when I spoke to the guy on the phone he did mention that they were part of the same group as Grecotel.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Rowena & Carl on October 21, 2007, 12:04:45 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: George
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
So George you are a potential buyer are you?
Que sera sera!  

george g...
We certainly won't be buying. When Plakias Panorama was first advertised it seemed like a convenient way to get a place in Plakias but now that they're being built, the apartments look far to close to each other so we're glad we resisted the temptation. The location of this development  is very good but if, eventually, there's going to be over 400 of them, it will be very cramped. If it changes the character of Plakias and the Far End, then we'd probably be wanting a quieter resort like Souda or Amoudi
As I've said, let's wait for phase two, that's if phase one ever materialises.

I still think this is a marketing ploy to see if there's any interest.

george g...

Yes we have just returned from Plakias & it certainly sounds like these apartments are going to be built which is such a shame. There was a real estate sign on the building to the left of Antoni's place but I didn't think it was the same as the website above. If they do go ahead they will be very exposed so close to the sea & can imagine when the Plakias wind starts!! The Airport thing is interesting according to Greece magazine this month there is a new airport opening in 2010 but in Kastelli which is near Heraklion apparently.

Rowen & Carl
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: mandie cook on October 21, 2007, 12:23:12 PM
I think they are going to upgrade Sitia into an international airport. I am back in Plakias on Tuesday....will see what is happening next to Paligremnos!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: jenny on October 21, 2007, 10:22:44 PM
Quote from: mandie cook
I think they are going to upgrade Sitia into an international airport. I am back in Plakias on Tuesday....will see what is happening next to Paligremnos!

I read that too - about Herak and Sitia - at some time early in the year before we went off to Makrigialos (think I spelt that wrong) in May
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Noopsy on October 27, 2007, 02:51:20 PM
In the December (?) 2007 edition of A Place in the Sun there is an item about Plakias which also mentions that a development is planned to the east of the village.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: mandie cook on November 03, 2007, 10:09:32 PM
A delivery of soil pipes was made to the site and I thought, "Here we go!"

Then three days later,to my surprise they were all removed again. Georgia at Paligremnos doesn't think anything will happen for at least 5 years,if at all!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on November 05, 2007, 10:30:05 AM
Quote from: mandie cook
A delivery of soil pipes was made to the site and I thought, "Here we go!"

Then three days later,to my surprise they were all removed again. Georgia at Paligremnos doesn't think anything will happen for at least 5 years,if at all!
Thanks for some up to date info, Mandie. I, and many others on this forum, will hope Georgia is right.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on January 02, 2008, 11:24:49 AM
Any "work in progress" on the spot?
Happy new year!
Shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Kerstin on January 02, 2008, 06:56:36 PM
Any "work in progress" on the spot?
Happy new year!
Shinaria


I have found this web-site, sorry, but only in German.

http://www.unserkreta.de/dasat/index.php?c...7&sid=dasat (http://www.unserkreta.de/dasat/index.php?cid=100235&conid=100767&sid=dasat)

I am not sure about the exact position. Can anybody help?

Kerstin
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on January 03, 2008, 08:12:41 AM
Looks like another CGI job. It's either the existing development at the top of the hill or a pie in the sky tempter to see who's interested.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on January 03, 2008, 09:36:32 AM
I think this is the one they are building since 2006.
We are just planning our holidays for this summer and we think we will go somewhere else if they have started till then.   Or maybe a last look at the town as it was... It's a shame but we are thinking of Loutro or Lentas. Has anyone of you been there recently?

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ali & Dave on January 08, 2008, 02:42:05 PM
The pipes are going in but they are for general drainage etc coming down the main road so it is complete chaos at the moment with the road between the far supermarket and Alianthos shut.

There is no sign of any work for the new development along the beach road.

Ali
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on January 08, 2008, 02:58:48 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
The pipes are going in but they are for general drainage etc coming down the main road so it is complete chaos at the moment with the road between the far supermarket and Alianthos shut.

There is no sign of any work for the new development along the beach road.

Ali
Thanks for the update Ali.

Maybe the council thinks that with the new harbour and the new developments planned, it's probably best to get the harbour done before starting anything else. The last thing that you guys and any pending visitors this year wants is to end up spending 2 weeks in a war zone.

Let's hope!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: JaneGary on January 11, 2008, 11:26:14 AM
Hi,
I am catching up on developments as we start to plan our 08 holidays.

What is the comment about the harbour - is the old one being rebuilt or will there be a new one?

Thanks
Jane
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on January 11, 2008, 11:36:53 AM
Quote from: JaneGary
Hi,
I am catching up on developments as we start to plan our 08 holidays.

What is the comment about the harbour - is the old one being rebuilt or will there be a new one?

Thanks
Jane
Hi Jane

The old harbour is staying as is, and the new harbour is being built some way out of town on the road to Souda Beach.

Nothing to worry about!!  

If you have a look on the map (Top right) it's marked where the new harbour is going to be.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: JaneGary on January 11, 2008, 11:48:44 AM
Excellent info thanks.


Quote from: George
Quote from: JaneGary
Hi,
I am catching up on developments as we start to plan our 08 holidays.

What is the comment about the harbour - is the old one being rebuilt or will there be a new one?

Thanks
Jane
Hi Jane

The old harbour is staying as is, and the new harbour is being built some way out of town on the road to Souda Beach.

Nothing to worry about!!  

If you have a look on the map (Top right) it's marked where the new harbour is going to be.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on May 14, 2008, 11:42:55 AM
We just bought our tickets to Crete and we will be there from the 7th til the 25th of July. We are thinking about a few days elsewhere on crete before we go back to Plakias. We consider a trip to Lentas, Hora Sfakion, Loutro or/and Gavdos.
Maybe someone could give us some advice about this places, especially about an accommodation suitable for us, a couple with two kids ... Efcharisto poli!
Are there any forum-meetings planned in this time? Might be nice to meet up with some of you nice people for a glass of water or two...

Efcharisto poli!

shinaria

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on May 14, 2008, 11:58:53 AM
i'm afraid i'll be back in the UK by then...

re accommodation at Hora Sfakion, you should have a look at Erno's site

sfakia-crete (http://www.sfakia-crete.com/sfakia-crete/sfakia-crete.html)

it got addresses and rates for quite a few places there

have a great time!

chris
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on May 14, 2008, 12:41:00 PM
Thank you, Chris!
I'll have a closer look at the site tonite!

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: beachcombers on May 14, 2008, 09:14:49 PM

Hi shinaria,

A short report for making up your mind:
 
Just back 14 days tour from SW Crete
1 day Heraklion due late arrival just one hour before Eastern Sunday.
Next 4 days Plakias
1 1/2  day (One nigh)  Chora Sfakion (Aradena) intended two nights but found the place not worth for staying .
The road to Aradena is under construction....!!! and must be driven carefully.
Then by ferry to Sougia  52 Euro for car + 2 persons
To Agia Roumelia ( witing 3 hours ( with great lunch and swimming aftwards

On to Sougia which place is Excellent. See Sougia website
Stayed at Gabi's rooms: very good  35 /night Low season (EOT high season = 60)
Excellent value for money in all taverna's except Anchorage.
Nice mosiac floor 400 years old in the new church  had a raki with the caretaker of the church
Irini gorge + to Lissos both very good walks
after 4 nighs  went on to Paleochora ( also very nice place)
Nice place Stayed two nights ( took the ferry to Elaqfonisis worhwhile 28 euro VV for two persons.
On to Chania  walked around for 6 hours ( enough for us)
On to Rhetymon stayed 2 nights at a beach hotel on the boulevard Poseidon hotel Very good breakfast and very friendly manager and staff
Early Sunday morning to Heraklion Airport ( What a mess!!!)  
Many cars in front of petrolstaions due to strike.
An advice:  ensure you have always sufficient fuel to reach the airport

Had a very pleasant and relaxed holiday, however before the the May 1. too many taverna's and shops are still closed and plakias did not look good at all
before.
 
Have a pleasant holiday
Beachcombers
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on May 23, 2008, 08:28:36 AM
Thank you very much! I think it will be Paleochora for this time... If we get our childrens allowance  ...

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on May 28, 2008, 11:08:17 AM
I just saw a first picture of the area and it is really worse than I ever thought. The following link goes to the picture
[which copyright is by Hermann from the kretaforum.eu ...]

http://kretaforum.eu/attachment.php?attach...mp;d=1211959509 (http://kretaforum.eu/attachment.php?attachmentid=17015&d=1211959509)

shinaria [sadly cryin']
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on May 30, 2008, 11:27:30 AM
Just a few small changes to Hermann's photo ... This is not real yet! I just filled the room between the new roads that are shown in the linked picture with some photoshopping. I wish I could buy me one ...! No nasty emptyness anymore! You do a great Job there, Fastro Development LLP!  And faster than anyone could dream of!

[attachment=588:plakkotz_pb.jpg]

Anyone wants to buy a few paintings? I would like to invest the money into a home by the sea like this!

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John & Zell on June 13, 2008, 10:53:13 AM
Just received this from the developer
www.fastro.co.uk/news/plakias.php
now I am worried
John & Zell
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 13, 2008, 11:05:37 AM
Quote from: John & Zell
Just received this from the developer
www.fastro.co.uk/news/plakias.php
now I am worried
John & Zell
It says laying foundations guys, all I can see is a very big hole, for what?
I don't remember seeing anything on the plans that would need a foundation that deep!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Tony and Sandra Smith on June 13, 2008, 11:29:01 AM
That's the bank vault for the developer!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 13, 2008, 11:53:29 AM
Quote from: Tony and Sandra Smith
That's the bank vault for the developer!
Good one!!!

There won't be any of my money in there, yet!

I'll have another look when it's all finished, but I still don't fancy living in an 'Eldorado' at the moment.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Kerstin on June 13, 2008, 12:06:28 PM
Quote from: John & Zell
Just received this from the developer
www.fastro.co.uk/news/plakias.php
now I am worried
John & Zell

These pictures are the reality.
During our stay we have seen these construction works. Nearly every day the lorries with the cement were on the construction site.
Sometimes it was loud and very dusty.

Kerstin


Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on June 13, 2008, 12:52:10 PM
Quote from: Kerstin
Quote from: John & Zell
Just received this from the developer
www.fastro.co.uk/news/plakias.php
now I am worried
John & Zell

These pictures are the reality.
During our stay we have seen these construction works. Nearly every day the lorries with the cement were on the construction site.
Sometimes it was loud and very dusty.

Kerstin
These pictures accurately represent how it was when I left 3 weeks ago. Yes, they were laying concrete some days but you can't see this from the "far end". Very occasionally you could hear something, but not more than you could hear the works on the new harbour across the bay. If your balcony at Palegremnos faced that way you would see the works at breakfast and lunch time but all the workers had gone long before the pre-prandial drinks.

It's not a huge problem yet.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on June 13, 2008, 03:40:17 PM
Are they getting near to Antonis place yet? That really would spoil my lunch!  48 days to go!

                                   Barny.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Kerstin on June 13, 2008, 07:39:40 PM
Quote from: Barny
Are they getting near to Antonis place yet? That really would spoil my lunch!  48 days to go!

                                   Barny.

According to the plans, I would say "yes". I think it will takes a long time until they will reach Antonis place.
As we left Plakias they had started with the ground works for the second building next to the Paligremnos.

Kerstin
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ali & Dave on June 14, 2008, 07:56:17 AM
Hi

Couple of points:

1.  Yes, the foundations are this deep, when you are building on sand you need to get down the rock underneath.

2.  No, it will not get as far as Adonis' Place.  The development goes as far as the white building opposite the beach bar.

Other news is that Plakias Panorama has now been painted a stoney colour so does not stick out nearly as much as it did.

Ali
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Steve Jones on June 14, 2008, 04:53:10 PM
Hi Dave & Ali,

Thanks for the info, just to clarify.

Am I right in assuming that you mean the gap between Antoni's Place and the Paligremnos?

Or is it the gap between the old Meltimi nightclub and Antoni's Place?

Steve
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ali & Dave on June 15, 2008, 10:48:16 AM
Hi Steve

The development goes from Paligremnos to the Beach Bar.  I not sure why I thought the building was white, walking in just now I looked at it and thought, mmmm, not much white there!!

Ali

Quote from: Steve Jones
Hi Dave & Ali,

Thanks for the info, just to clarify.

Am I right in assuming that you mean the gap between Antoni's Place and the Paligremnos?

Or is it the gap between the old Meltimi nightclub and Antoni's Place?

Steve
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on June 17, 2008, 09:26:28 AM
try this link for up to date photos

plakias resort pics (http://www.plakiasresort.com/gallery.php#)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: boxerlover on June 17, 2008, 01:08:15 PM
Quote from: harribobs
try this link for up to date photos

plakias resort pics ([url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/gallery.php#[/url])



Here is a little video I made 2 weeks ago from the first floor of the Paligremnos looking towards Plakias.  It shows exactly where the present building work is taking place.

http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkSno5pf6Uk (http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkSno5pf6Uk)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 17, 2008, 01:31:38 PM
Quote from: boxerlover
Quote from: harribobs
try this link for up to date photos

plakias resort pics ([url]http://www.plakiasresort.com/gallery.php#[/url])



Here is a little video I made 2 weeks ago from the first floor of the Paligremnos looking towards Plakias.  It shows exactly where the present building work is taking place.

[url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkSno5pf6Uk[/url] ([url]http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkSno5pf6Uk[/url])


We all know this is happening, but let's be honest, it really doesn't look 'That' bad at the moment, well I don't think so!

Probably better to wait and form my own opinion when I get there this year!!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on June 17, 2008, 02:26:33 PM
Not long to go now!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 17, 2008, 02:36:29 PM
I haven't started a countdown yet Barny, got until 02.09 at 1.00pm before I take off.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Xenos on June 18, 2008, 06:51:40 PM
Hi all,

here is a Youtube video of the site, filmed from Paligremnos balcony:

View from Paligremnos balcony (http://youtube.com/watch?v=MkSno5pf6Uk)

Greetings

Xenos
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: fraoula on June 26, 2008, 02:44:29 PM
Hey, long time no see....

Just doing alot of catching up of the topics...
 I just wanted to add my piece on this...it's a bit of a shame that the beautiful landscape of Plakias is being blotted with 'Spain-like' developments. Okay I know places 'move on' and change over the years but I can't help thinking this new development is going to attract the type of clientele that stay in nothing but 5 star accomodation, love a beautiful secluded location ( they sound okay,I hear you say) but I book people like these on holidays all the time and they don't give a hoots whether they're in Barbados, Egypt or Crete!!  I went to a lovely little hamlet on Crete a couple of years back and that too has been bombarded with developers each wanting a little slice of paradise.  Problem is, there's not going to be anywhere left to build on at this rate and before you know it paradise turns into a bustling, cosmopolitan, urban nightmare, you only have to look at Malia ( knowing it when there were only a few buildings and lots of banana plantations). Or even worse, Benidorm!..(okay slight exageration but you get the picture...)
It'll be ten years next year since we properly stayed in Plakias ( I know, how could we stay away so long? It's been torture I'll tell ya!)  This'll sound awful and I don't like to say it but.. I hope we're not disappointed

I can't believe they're building a harbour in Souda?! That's not so bad, I can cope with that  

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 26, 2008, 02:55:29 PM
Quote from: fraoula
Hey, long time no see....

Just doing alot of catching up of the topics...
 I just wanted to add my piece on this...it's a bit of a shame that the beautiful landscape of Plakias is being blotted with 'Spain-like' developments. Okay I know places 'move on' and change over the years but I can't help thinking this new development is going to attract the type of clientele that stay in nothing but 5 star accomodation, love a beautiful secluded location ( they sound okay,I hear you say) but I book people like these on holidays all the time and they don't give a hoots whether they're in Barbados, Egypt or Crete!!  I went to a lovely little hamlet on Crete a couple of years back and that too has been bombarded with developers each wanting a little slice of paradise.  Problem is, there's not going to be anywhere left to build on at this rate and before you know it paradise turns into a bustling, cosmopolitan, urban nightmare, you only have to look at Malia ( knowing it when there were only a few buildings and lots of banana plantations). Or even worse, Benidorm!..(okay slight exageration but you get the picture...)
It'll be ten years next year since we properly stayed in Plakias ( I know, how could we stay away so long? It's been torture I'll tell ya!)  This'll sound awful and I don't like to say it but.. I hope we're not disappointed

I can't believe they're building a harbour in Souda?! That's not so bad, I can cope with that  
Don't worry, it's not that bad yet!! Plakias hasn't changed that much, this is only a small part of it and it's well away from the town.
I used to think that the development around Kalives and Plaka were bad but at least they are individual properties and not an 'Eldorado' like this one's going to be!

And the harbour isn't near Souda, it's just outside Plakias on the Souda road, and that's not that bad either. It's well away from town.

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: fraoula on June 26, 2008, 03:02:57 PM
Thanks George,

We're actually looking at accom in Souda, which was why I mentioned the harbour, but that's okay then, at least it won't give the other half such a fright when I show him all the pictures tonight .......lol
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on June 26, 2008, 03:13:02 PM
Quote from: fraoula
Thanks George,

We're actually looking at accom in Souda, which was why I mentioned the harbour, but that's okay then, at least it won't give the other half such a fright when I show him all the pictures tonight .......lol
Souda's fine, nothing's going on there as usual. It hasn't changed for years!!  

george g....
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John & Zell on July 23, 2008, 11:12:03 AM
HEARTBREAKING for us that is the only way to decribe the new developement, already you could hear things like "OLD PLAKIAS & NEW PLAKIAS" mixed feelings amongst the locals, obviously it will be benificiant to certain people and good luck to them, but for some, like those with accomodation it coud be disasterous.
For us I'm affraid the end is in sight no more our beloved Plakias.
John & Zell
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: alan on July 27, 2008, 09:10:25 PM
I too am dreading it.After 15 years I don't want to start looking for another piece of heaven( there can't be too many left ).

Still I fear the worst but will find out the extent of the damage in 5 weeks and 2 days and counting.

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Santa on July 28, 2008, 08:36:28 AM
Quote from: fraoula
Hey, long time no see....

Just doing alot of catching up of the topics...
 I just wanted to add my piece on this...it's a bit of a shame that the beautiful landscape of Plakias is being blotted with 'Spain-like' developments. Okay I know places 'move on' and change over the years but I can't help thinking this new development is going to attract the type of clientele that stay in nothing but 5 star accomodation, love a beautiful secluded location ( they sound okay,I hear you say) but I book people like these on holidays all the time and they don't give a hoots whether they're in Barbados, Egypt or Crete!!  I went to a lovely little hamlet on Crete a couple of years back and that too has been bombarded with developers each wanting a little slice of paradise.  Problem is, there's not going to be anywhere left to build on at this rate and before you know it paradise turns into a bustling, cosmopolitan, urban nightmare, you only have to look at Malia ( knowing it when there were only a few buildings and lots of banana plantations). Or even worse, Benidorm!..(okay slight exageration but you get the picture...)
It'll be ten years next year since we properly stayed in Plakias ( I know, how could we stay away so long? It's been torture I'll tell ya!)  This'll sound awful and I don't like to say it but.. I hope we're not disappointed

I can't believe they're building a harbour in Souda?! That's not so bad, I can cope with that  

I suggest you all Google- Greek News and read the article by Helena Smith of The Observer titled- "Curse of the Boozy Britons returns to Greek Resorts" Therein lies your problem of places like Malia- Not development-
Santa
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Rodger on July 28, 2008, 01:55:01 PM
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on July 28, 2008, 02:23:21 PM
Quote from: Rodger
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Agree with all of that Rodger, including the Hapimag at Damednoni!
Unfortunately, the visual of the finished development is unnerving to say the least, but as you say there is a lot of panic going on, unnecessarily in my opinion.
The finished development will be some time yet, so we all have plenty of time to enjoy 'our place', for some years to come yet, before it makes any impression on the village itself. As I've said before, if you're a far-ender, you can't see it from there anyway, and it's a long way away from the village at night!  

Ignore it, it might even go away!!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on July 28, 2008, 03:03:49 PM
Quote from: Rodger
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Ahh yes i remember it well,a small footpath to the beach the turtles still came then.Those were the days,locals still not too jaded to think only of the money.Happy days indeed,Damnoni was beutifull then,how things change.Get used to it!Before you and yours arrived these people had nothing,poverty was very real.Only a generation ago they had nothing but hard work and damm all to show for it.Even now only a handfull of people make the real money and very few of the ordinary locals get rich.The wages are shit the hours long and the season short.You guys fly in and blow more money in a week than most of them make in a month or two.I lived and worked for tradesmans wages when i was there,i earn a lot more here than i could dream of on Crete.Good luck to them they only want what we have,its not an adventure park for tourists its someone else"s home.They dont see what you see,if you were born and live there the tourists are like a shoal of salmon,to be used every year to keep the wolf from the door.
Dont stay in a hotel,rent room is better and cheaper,go to the mountain villages and spend money,help the people who need it.
Dont buy an over priced villa.
Do buy a red pick up truck
Do grow a big moustache
Do wear a black leather jacket
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Santa on July 28, 2008, 03:18:55 PM
Quote from: dimitri
Quote from: Rodger
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Ahh yes i remember it well,a small footpath to the beach the turtles still came then.Those were the days,locals still not too jaded to think only of the money.Happy days indeed,Damnoni was beutifull then,how things change.Get used to it!Before you and yours arrived these people had nothing,poverty was very real.Only a generation ago they had nothing but hard work and damm all to show for it.Even now only a handfull of people make the real money and very few of the ordinary locals get rich.The wages are shit the hours long and the season short.You guys fly in and blow more money in a week than most of them make in a month or two.I lived and worked for tradesmans wages when i was there,i earn a lot more here than i could dream of on Crete.Good luck to them they only want what we have,its not an adventure park for tourists its someone else"s home.They dont see what you see,if you were born and live there the tourists are like a shoal of salmon,to be used every year to keep the wolf from the door.
Dont stay in a hotel,rent room is better and cheaper,go to the mountain villages and spend money,help the people who need it.
Dont buy an over priced villa.
Do buy a red pick up truck
Do grow a big moustache
Do wear a black leather jacket

Dimitri-
Fantastic- could not have said it better- I have been to Sellia since the early 70's visiting relatives- There is no romance in talking a donkey to the fields in the morning , slaving all day to scratch a living out of the soil- which they first had to clean by hand of all the stones- or getting up at 2 am because it is your turn to change the direction of the water for your fields- Please get real-It may have charm to the tourists, but it is damn hard work and I am glad that they have the opportunity to make their life a little better. All this talk about "ruining " some vision of a plakias is nonsense- And if in the end some don't like it well, as some have suggested, there are other places to go-
Santa
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on July 28, 2008, 03:27:16 PM
Quote from: Santa
Quote from: dimitri
Quote from: Rodger
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Ahh yes i remember it well,a small footpath to the beach the turtles still came then.Those were the days,locals still not too jaded to think only of the money.Happy days indeed,Damnoni was beutifull then,how things change.Get used to it!Before you and yours arrived these people had nothing,poverty was very real.Only a generation ago they had nothing but hard work and damm all to show for it.Even now only a handfull of people make the real money and very few of the ordinary locals get rich.The wages are shit the hours long and the season short.You guys fly in and blow more money in a week than most of them make in a month or two.I lived and worked for tradesmans wages when i was there,i earn a lot more here than i could dream of on Crete.Good luck to them they only want what we have,its not an adventure park for tourists its someone else"s home.They dont see what you see,if you were born and live there the tourists are like a shoal of salmon,to be used every year to keep the wolf from the door.
Dont stay in a hotel,rent room is better and cheaper,go to the mountain villages and spend money,help the people who need it.
Dont buy an over priced villa.
Do buy a red pick up truck
Do grow a big moustache
Do wear a black leather jacket

Dimitri-
Fantastic- could not have said it better- I have been to Sellia since the early 70's visiting relatives- There is no romance in talking a donkey to the fields in the morning , slaving all day to scratch a living out of the soil- which they first had to clean by hand of all the stones- or getting up at 2 am because it is your turn to change the direction of the water for your fields- Please get real-It may have charm to the tourists, but it is damn hard work and I am glad that they have the opportunity to make their life a little better. All this talk about "ruining " some vision of a plakias is nonsense- And if in the end some don't like it well, as some have suggested, there are other places to go-
Santa

I think we all know this guys and what you've written brings some people back to reality. Couldn't have put it better myself!

Thanks!!  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on July 28, 2008, 03:27:38 PM
Hey santa, if they had to pick olives and work the fields like i used to most of them would be dead in a week.Pruning trees and olive picking i still have to sleep with the lights on sometimes.
George are you stalking me?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Rodger on July 28, 2008, 08:19:03 PM
Quote from: Santa
Quote from: dimitri
Quote from: Rodger
I don't want to sound complacent but isn't this just another verse of the same old song?  Plakias and the surrounding areas have been undergoing relentless "development" for over 25 years - in fact the first edition of the Rough Guide to Greece (1982) calls it a "boom town" where buildings under construction seemed to outnumber completed buildings.  It's not obvious to me that this project is any more objectionable than many of the other concrete sprawls that have sprung up over the years, or that it constitutes the tipping point that will turn Plak into Benidorm.  My pet hate is the Hapimag "village" which ruined the western half of Damnoni beach, for example.

There have been many changes since my first visits, when Plak was still a haven for backpackers and independent travellers, but there's still enough left of "my Plakias" to draw me back every few years.  I can still find a pleasant room within 5 minutes of getting off the bus, enjoy a leisurely breakfast at Livicon and chill out in the shade of the tree at the far end, pretty much as I would have done 20 years ago.
Ahh yes i remember it well,a small footpath to the beach the turtles still came then.Those were the days,locals still not too jaded to think only of the money.Happy days indeed,Damnoni was beutifull then,how things change.Get used to it!Before you and yours arrived these people had nothing,poverty was very real.Only a generation ago they had nothing but hard work and damm all to show for it.Even now only a handfull of people make the real money and very few of the ordinary locals get rich.The wages are shit the hours long and the season short.You guys fly in and blow more money in a week than most of them make in a month or two.I lived and worked for tradesmans wages when i was there,i earn a lot more here than i could dream of on Crete.Good luck to them they only want what we have,its not an adventure park for tourists its someone else"s home.They dont see what you see,if you were born and live there the tourists are like a shoal of salmon,to be used every year to keep the wolf from the door.
Dont stay in a hotel,rent room is better and cheaper,go to the mountain villages and spend money,help the people who need it.
Dont buy an over priced villa.
Do buy a red pick up truck
Do grow a big moustache
Do wear a black leather jacket

Dimitri-
Fantastic- could not have said it better- I have been to Sellia since the early 70's visiting relatives- There is no romance in talking a donkey to the fields in the morning , slaving all day to scratch a living out of the soil- which they first had to clean by hand of all the stones- or getting up at 2 am because it is your turn to change the direction of the water for your fields- Please get real-It may have charm to the tourists, but it is damn hard work and I am glad that they have the opportunity to make their life a little better. All this talk about "ruining " some vision of a plakias is nonsense- And if in the end some don't like it well, as some have suggested, there are other places to go-
Santa
Dear oh dear, this is all getting rather silly.

Nobody's saying the Cretans should return to back-breaking subsistence farming.  That doesn't mean we have to be enamoured of massive foreign-owned tourist complexes that probably do little enough to support the local economy.  And I'm not having you telling me "there are other places to go", thanks all the same.

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on July 29, 2008, 08:56:53 AM
Quote from: dimitri
George are you stalking me?
If you happen to be the blond with the long legs and large assets..... might be!!  

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on July 29, 2008, 03:12:05 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: dimitri
George are you stalking me?
If you happen to be the blond with the long legs and large assets..... might be!!  

george g...
sorry mate it was the george from brighton i was talking about.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Greecemad on August 05, 2008, 08:44:36 PM
Quote from: dimitri
Ahh yes i remember it well,a small footpath to the beach the turtles still came then.Those were the days,locals still not too jaded to think only of the money.Happy days indeed,Damnoni was beutifull then,how things change.Get used to it!Before you and yours arrived these people had nothing,poverty was very real.Only a generation ago they had nothing but hard work and damm all to show for it.Even now only a handfull of people make the real money and very few of the ordinary locals get rich.The wages are shit the hours long and the season short.You guys fly in and blow more money in a week than most of them make in a month or two.I lived and worked for tradesmans wages when i was there,i earn a lot more here than i could dream of on Crete.Good luck to them they only want what we have,its not an adventure park for tourists its someone else"s home.They dont see what you see,if you were born and live there the tourists are like a shoal of salmon,to be used every year to keep the wolf from the door.
Dont stay in a hotel,rent room is better and cheaper,go to the mountain villages and spend money,help the people who need it.
Dont buy an over priced villa.
Do buy a red pick up truck
Do grow a big moustache
Do wear a black leather jacket

Dimitri,

Do you remember the plank of wood over the stream on the way to Damnoni? The farmer used to lift it up to stop his sheep (or goats) crossing the stream.

Greecemad
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: steven on September 17, 2008, 03:11:06 PM
Last week i took some pics of the building site, it's not really that bad.

(http://www.xs4all.nl/~steefbez/plakias%202008/DSCF0021.JPG)(http://www.xs4all.nl/~steefbez/plakias%202008/DSCF0022.JPG)(http://www.xs4all.nl/~steefbez/plakias%202008/DSCF0066.JPG)(http://www.xs4all.nl/~steefbez/plakias%202008/DSCF0067.JPG)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on September 18, 2008, 03:12:31 PM
Quote from: steven
Last week i took some pics of the building site, it's not really that bad.
I totally agree with you Steven, I've been saying this all along these topics. I was there last week and got up high over the two developments. They are a bit of a blot, but the village hasn't been changed any by it's new neighbours. Even the new harbour looks good!

When I get my head screwed back on after the XL scenario experience, I'll do a report as always, hopefully next week! Heard there was a bit of concern for me, Thanks all!!

george g...XX
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on September 18, 2008, 03:45:10 PM
Yes I thought you were going to have to move into one of the new appartments !!

                       Barny.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on September 18, 2008, 04:18:14 PM
Quote from: Barny
Yes I thought you were going to have to move into one of the new appartments !!

                       Barny.
The one's at the top of the hill look like they're finished, just a bit of landscaping to do and get the road sorted. But they are all empty at the moment, so that was always an alternative Barny!

Evidently, the new development as it stands at the moment took two months, from nothing to what it is now!

george g...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on October 27, 2008, 10:58:53 AM
here's another taken from above the Plakias Bay

chris


(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/393382226_wNsQx-M.jpg)

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Davos on November 02, 2008, 01:00:02 PM
Hi
I will be going in 09 but after 18 years of going to Plakias I think this will be the last time. Sorry to say but may be time to move on.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on November 03, 2008, 12:53:11 PM
Although there was still some work being done last week, I can't help wondering how much longer it will continue with the current financial state of the world.

The big worry for the future is that there will be large numbers of part-built complexes, not just in Plakias but all over the Greek islands.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike from Sussex on November 03, 2008, 03:58:56 PM
Quote from: Chas
Although there was still some work being done last week, I can't help wondering how much longer it will continue with the current financial state of the world.

The big worry for the future is that there will be large numbers of part-built complexes, not just in Plakias but all over the Greek islands.

And similarly Cyprus. There are developments everywhere, not just on the coast, all financed on borrowings. I wouldn't keep any savings with a Cypriot bank right now.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on November 10, 2008, 12:40:28 PM
Quote from: Chas
Although there was still some work being done last week, I can't help wondering how much longer it will continue with the current financial state of the world.

The Manchester (Sale) based company that was marketing the properties (see the earlier post from their representative) has stopped trading .... this is the website homepage:

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on November 10, 2008, 03:03:19 PM
just looked at the pics of the new development,noooooooooooooooooooo,a vision of hell or what?Glad i moved out of the cave,never get any rest with all that work going on.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on November 10, 2008, 09:34:53 PM
Quote from: dimitri
just looked at the pics of the new development,noooooooooooooooooooo,a vision of hell or what?Glad i moved out of the cave,never get any rest with all that work going on.

I think we've got one more year before the new developments have the potential to change the Plakias we've all grown to love. If Plakias gets too busy, there's always Souda just down the road. There's really no shortage of quiet places to stay so I'm sure we will be returning to the area for many years to come.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on November 11, 2008, 09:32:47 AM
Quote from: Chas
Now I'm not a Chartered Accountant, so this may be 2+2=5 ..... but "Mitchell Charlesworth" have a link on their website for a "Solvency Check", so I wonder if they are acting as Insolvency Practitioners or Receivers for "Fastro".

i would think so...

oh dear! now you really do wonder if this process will be repeated in other north european countries

Quote
Whatever, I don't think Harribobs is going to get any royalties for the (unauthorised) use of his copyrighted pictures!

damn i'll just have to wait for my £25m from Nigeria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on November 12, 2008, 01:56:25 PM
Quote from: Graham_and_Karen
Quote from: dimitri
just looked at the pics of the new development,noooooooooooooooooooo,a vision of hell or what?Glad i moved out of the cave,never get any rest with all that work going on.

I think we've got one more year before the new developments have the potential to change the Plakias we've all grown to love. If Plakias gets too busy, there's always Souda just down the road. There's really no shortage of quiet places to stay so I'm sure we will be returning to the area for many years to come.
I fear you may be right about "one more year" G&K. However, Souda is far from a replacement beach IMHO as unlike 10 years ago it isn't "farender" any more. If the Plakais far end goes or becomes a pale shadow of its former self then I'm off. There are other Greek island resorts I visit and in one case the beach is far better than Plakias'. However, none can quite match the ambience of Plakias or the interesting hinterland.

The global recession is bad news in just about every way but if it stops or slows down this development then that will be one benefit.

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on November 12, 2008, 03:18:24 PM
Quote from: harribobs
.... damn i'll just have to wait for my £25m from Nigeria
Are you a man of infinite patience or is it just the lasting effects of Babis' raki
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John R on November 12, 2008, 08:59:09 PM
Quote from: Chas
Quote from: harribobs
.... damn i'll just have to wait for my £25m from Nigeria
Are you a man of infinite patience or is it just the lasting effects of Babis' raki

I may have no patience but definitely  have the lasting effects of Babis's Raki - he gave me 2 litres as we departed for home !!!!!!!

John R
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on November 13, 2008, 10:42:16 AM
Quote from: John R
I may have no patience but definitely  have the lasting effects of Babis's Raki - he gave me 2 litres as we departed for home !!!!!!!

John R


i may have recovered or it just be the pickling effect  
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on November 13, 2008, 11:32:31 AM
I just found this on the web:
http://www.aipp.org.uk/aipp_members/fastro...316/member.html (http://www.aipp.org.uk/aipp_members/fastro_developments_llp/316/member.html) it says: "We are advised that Fastro Developments LLP has ceased to trade. Please direct enquiries to the above address."
Does this mean the sudden death for the plakias-resort? I hope none of our friendly forums' members will loose their savings in that project! Is there still any work in progress at the site now?


shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dreamofgreece on November 13, 2008, 06:09:20 PM
I visited Plakias last month, the first time for many years and I was amazed to see the rows of advertising boards with artists impressions of all these proposed new apartments. In the current climate though that is all they are ever likely to be, artists impressions.
While I was at Plakias I got talking to a Greek business man who gave me the following advice. "On Crete we build a house for 80,000 euros and sell it to an Englishman for 300,000 euros". "This is fine until the Englishman wishes to sell because he has to find another English buyer as any Greek will know he could get one built for 80,000 euros"
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: JaneGary on November 13, 2008, 08:08:39 PM
We returned after a week on 2nd Nov and there was still work going on at the development next to Paligremos. Only 5 workmen or so and a sarcastic "they're cracking on with this!" became the running joke of the holiday.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Robin Young on November 14, 2008, 09:50:42 AM
Quote from: JaneGary
We returned after a week on 2nd Nov and there was still work going on at the development next to Paligremos. Only 5 workmen or so and a sarcastic "they're cracking on with this!" became the running joke of the holiday.
Does any member know if Fastro were partners in this development or merely selling agents?

Robin Young
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on November 14, 2008, 12:04:57 PM
Quote from: Robin Young
Does any member know if Fastro were partners in this development or merely selling agents?

Robin Young

i got the impression they were agents, they were selling sites all over the world

chris
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on November 14, 2008, 06:40:07 PM
Quote from: dreamofgreece
..... "On Crete we build a house for 80,000 euros and sell it to an Englishman for 300,000 euros". ....

The nastiest part of that is the €300,000 was the equivalent of £200,000 18 months ago; now, the equivalent is £260,870!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on November 21, 2008, 01:37:59 AM
good to see their still keeping up with the tradition of ripping off total mugs.An old Cretan tradition,as i have pointed out on previous posts.
serves them all right for being so stupid,has no one ever seen what they build houses with on Crete? I built some of the rent rooms in plak and a fair bit of two of the hotels on Damnoni.The things cost nothing to build in terms of materials,the labour was done by a lot of dumb backpackers,now you lot pay silly money to stay there and complain when they build a new development.You are the source of the problem your moaning about,cut out the wailing and give the locals some more money.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Graham_and_Karen on November 21, 2008, 05:30:03 AM
I guess, as we are so often told - a place is worth what someone is prepared to pay for it. Although we've not bought property in Crete, we've been sorely tempted. Yes we know we'd be paying over the odds but as we don't have months of spare time to be in Crete overseeing a private build and certainly don't have the skills to build a place ourselves, the options are only to 'put up or shut up'.
 
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on November 21, 2008, 01:10:33 PM
Thou art so wise, Dimitri! I wish I had known earlier. I really meant that most of them were so generous and friendly people. Stupid me!
shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: travellingran on November 21, 2008, 08:00:39 PM
Quote from: dimitri
good to see their still keeping up with the tradition of ripping off total mugs.An old Cretan tradition,as i have pointed out on previous posts.
serves them all right for being so stupid,has no one ever seen what they build houses with on Crete? I built some of the rent rooms in plak and a fair bit of two of the hotels on Damnoni.The things cost nothing to build in terms of materials,the labour was done by a lot of dumb backpackers,now you lot pay silly money to stay there and complain when they build a new development.You are the source of the problem your moaning about,cut out the wailing and give the locals some more money.


How good to see that Dimitri the Cretin is keeping up his charm offensive.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on November 21, 2008, 09:08:00 PM
Yes I look forward to reading his wonderful posts (not) chip?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: paleo on January 07, 2009, 01:22:58 PM
FYI - I phoned the Mitchell Charlesworth number - they confirm that Fastro has gone into liquidation.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on January 08, 2009, 11:20:37 AM
Quote from: paleo
FYI - I phoned the Mitchell Charlesworth number - they confirm that Fastro has gone into liquidation.

Good idea! Thank you very much!

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ali & Dave on January 09, 2009, 05:50:11 PM
Quote from: dimitri
good to see their still keeping up with the tradition of ripping off total mugs.An old Cretan tradition,as i have pointed out on previous posts.
serves them all right for being so stupid,has no one ever seen what they build houses with on Crete? I built some of the rent rooms in plak and a fair bit of two of the hotels on Damnoni.The things cost nothing to build in terms of materials,the labour was done by a lot of dumb backpackers,now you lot pay silly money to stay there and complain when they build a new development.You are the source of the problem your moaning about,cut out the wailing and give the locals some more money.


Let's please put this in persective, let's face it all over the world building projects have failed.  Yes, no one wanted this in Plakias but world economics effect us the same as else where.  Again Dimitri comes up with 'us and them' why do we keep having to  listen to this.  If he has ever done any work here, bravo,  but I do not believe it.  When I see the difference between the Plakias Resorts site and the Appollonia Villas Site (which is still going ahead) the only difference is the management and believe me the Plakias Resorts management is so much better (tidying up rubbish, controlling work flows etc.).

This guy has not been in this area for years he does not know or understand (and I believe has never understood) the locals

Ali
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on January 09, 2009, 10:58:53 PM
Quote from: Ali & Dave
This guy has not been in this area for years he does not know or understand (and I believe has never understood) the locals

Ali


absolutely agree with you there Ali , he really impressed me with his knowledge of cretan builders  (dumb backpackers) yep  they really are flooding the building sites now  (of course he may not understand irony as well)

another one of his main whinges is that Cretans are going to rip us off, as fast and as much as they can...

Crete is the only place in the world where :-

where i have been told my room rate has been reduced from what i originally agreed when i came to pay

where the aircon controller appeared without payment in very hot weather

where litres of wine appear on the table but not on the bill

where i had to go three times to a taverna  before i could pay for my beer

where people i have never met welcome me into their homes

where people who can't talk to me ( my greek is poor at best) want to sit with us


i know where i'd rather be....


(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/389715061_ukuSg-M.jpg)

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on January 10, 2009, 02:10:40 PM
If Fastro has gone into liquidation, does this mean that the development on the way to the far end has stopped or has it been taken over by another developer?

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: paleo on January 10, 2009, 08:16:14 PM
Good question Mike G - I don't think its possible to tell. I think that technically all that liquidation means is that the company is terminated and its assets are sold to pay its creditors. So presumably some one/corporation has bought the assets (the new buyers can of course be the original owners). Also it is not possible to know what Fastro's involvement was in what could be a tangled web of land owners, builders, developers, agents ,etc. etc.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on April 29, 2009, 04:01:18 PM
Is there anything going on there ...?
Maybe someone has been there recently and could give us an update?

shinaria
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on June 25, 2009, 10:16:59 AM
Quote from: shinaria
Is there anything going on there ...?
Maybe someone has been there recently and could give us an update?

shinaria


there is a small amount of work still going on, i never saw more than 6 workers on site and they seem to be more interested in shouting at each other and smoking rather than working

(http://harribobs.smugmug.com/photos/573574392_2bHks-M.jpg)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: StephenIcarus on June 25, 2009, 10:31:48 AM
Same story when we were there at the end of May.  Occasionally a handful of guys drifting around but nothing you'd actually call 'work'.  Same phenomenon at home, mind you - sites ticking over, but not enough bodies for any real progress.  Cashflow and liquidity being at the root of all things these days, but in this case long may it continue.

Just to add something to Haribob's excellent January post about Cretan generosity:  we toured right round the island over a fortnight in late May, and as I was traveling with rather pregnant missus and toddler, I nervously booked ahead for all but one stop.  Not one single place  asked for a deposit (including Costas Chrysoulas in Plakias), or anything more than an idea of what time of day we'd be arriving.  That kind of simple trust from a host is simply unprecedented in Europe, in my experience, downturn in business or not.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Greecemad on June 25, 2009, 09:07:20 PM
Quote from: harribobs
Quote from: shinaria
Is there anything going on there ...?
Maybe someone has been there recently and could give us an update?

shinaria

there is a small amount of work still going on, i never saw more than 6 workers on site and they seem to be more interested in shouting at each other and smoking rather than working


I never saw as many 6 workers. Mostly there were none. Very little seemed to be going on. I have a very similar photo. Now I have seen where this development is, I am sure it will have no effect on the far end. On the beach there is a big empty space in front of this development with no umbrellas, so there looks to be plenty of space if they want to have some.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: compage on August 22, 2009, 11:53:44 AM
This site has pictures taken on 23 July 2009 from within the site...
click here (http://www.therightmoveabroad.com/overseas_property/plakias_cretan_resort__rethymno__crete_construction_photos_n227.php)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Noopsy on August 22, 2009, 06:42:43 PM
It's nothing more than a pipe-dream at the moment.  

Νούψη
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on August 23, 2009, 04:00:10 PM
Quote from: compage
This site has pictures taken on 23 July 2009 from within the site...
click here ([url]http://www.therightmoveabroad.com/overseas_property/plakias_cretan_resort__rethymno__crete_construction_photos_n227.php[/url])


that bloody site is using one of my photos!!!!!!!!!!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: travellingran on August 23, 2009, 04:29:39 PM
Quote from: harribobs
Quote from: compage
This site has pictures taken on 23 July 2009 from within the site...
click here ([url]http://www.therightmoveabroad.com/overseas_property/plakias_cretan_resort__rethymno__crete_construction_photos_n227.php[/url])


that bloody site is using one of my photos!!!!!!!!!!  


I recognised that as one of yours. There was me thinking you had gone over to the enemy. !!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: shinaria on August 24, 2009, 08:38:12 AM
That looks really trashy!   It will need more than one coat of paint to make it look like a state of the art concrete-building ...

shinaria

Title: Worrying Development
Post by: harribobs on August 24, 2009, 10:59:28 PM
well they didn't fancy paying me.. so they've removed it now!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: colin_1972 on August 26, 2009, 10:12:32 PM
Hi, page not found from the link..... any other way to view the deveopment plans?? Col
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Susan K on August 29, 2009, 10:09:59 AM
Hi Everyone

Only a week to go now and I was wondering if anyone could give me an update as to whats happening with the building work at the moment. Staying at the Paligremnos so would like to know.

Ta

Susan
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ruth & Ian on September 02, 2009, 12:15:16 PM
Having spent first a week in June and more recently last two weeks in August in Plakias, I think it’s fair to say that progress has been minimal over that intervening period of two or so months (even since last August). We on one day only (last Sunday) saw one person on the site working and a dog in its site guarding kennel. If the weather is the same, the noise of the wind moving the Paligremnos trees will more than drown out any construction noise (if there is any).

Enjoy.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Susan K on September 02, 2009, 12:35:58 PM
Quote from: Ruth & Ian
Having spent first a week in June and more recently last two weeks in August in Plakias, I think it’s fair to say that progress has been minimal over that intervening period of two or so months (even since last August). We on one day only (last Sunday) saw one person on the site working and a dog in its site guarding kennel. If the weather is the same, the noise of the wind moving the Paligremnos trees will more than drown out any construction noise (if there is any).

Enjoy.

Thank you  

Susan
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Santa on September 02, 2009, 02:25:44 PM
Quote from: Susan K
Quote from: Ruth & Ian
Having spent first a week in June and more recently last two weeks in August in Plakias, I think it’s fair to say that progress has been minimal over that intervening period of two or so months (even since last August). We on one day only (last Sunday) saw one person on the site working and a dog in its site guarding kennel. If the weather is the same, the noise of the wind moving the Paligremnos trees will more than drown out any construction noise (if there is any).

Enjoy.

Thank you  

Susan

Susan-
Just a clarification to the comment from Ruth & Ian-I am not sure what they meant by "minimal", but let me assure you that a lot of work has been accomplished- specifically in the area of exterior stucco work- True the pace was slow over the winter and spring, but has picked up considerably-
Trust me, this development is moving along.
Santa



Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Susan K on September 02, 2009, 02:29:08 PM
Thanks Santa!
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on September 02, 2009, 02:33:10 PM
I took a couple of photos yesterday morning, before flying home.
I will try and add them to the site within the next few days.

Peter&Dawn
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on September 03, 2009, 01:32:23 PM
Quote from: Peter&Dawn
I took a couple of photos yesterday morning, before flying home.
I will try and add them to the site within the next few days.

Peter&Dawn

Pictures as promised.

[attachment=682:001.JPG][attachment=683:002.JPG][attachment=684:003.JPG][attachment=685:004.JPG]

001 & 002 were taken on the 28th August & 003 & 004 were on the 1st Sept.
Slow but steady progress.

Peter&Dawn
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Peter&Dawn on September 03, 2009, 01:59:37 PM
The other development behind and between the Paligremnos and Plakias Bay hotels is also nearing completion.

[attachment=686:005.JPG]

Peter&Dawn
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Susan K on September 04, 2009, 11:27:04 AM
Thanks Peter & Dawn for posting the pics.

2 days and counting  
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Robin Young on September 14, 2009, 02:29:59 PM
Quote from: Susan K
Thanks Peter & Dawn for posting the pics.

2 days and counting  
Work is going on steadily at the "carbuncle on the face of the beach road".Today there seemed to be quite a few workers. Exterior plastering is progressing
and electricians are working on the electric cabelling.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on September 20, 2009, 04:43:46 PM
mm interesting pics,reminds me of why i never go back,must be horrible there now.
but thats progress i guess.
i like to remember damnoni when only a small track led to it and no hotels existed anywhere there or in plakia,what an end to one of the most charming and pretty places in crete.when i first looked down on plakia from mirthios after a motorcycle ride it seemed like paradise.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: George on September 21, 2009, 08:51:20 AM
Quote from: dimitri
mm interesting pics,reminds me of why i never go back,must be horrible there now.
but thats progress i guess.
i like to remember damnoni when only a small track led to it and no hotels existed anywhere there or in plakia,what an end to one of the most charming and pretty places in crete.when i first looked down on plakia from mirthios after a motorcycle ride it seemed like paradise.
Hi dimitri
To the majority of people on this site Plakias still is paradise, and we'll be returning year after year. You don't think a little bit of building work way outside town is going to put the genuine Plakiasites off do you?
Horrible? There won't be many people on this site who'll agree with you!

george...
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on September 21, 2009, 09:33:35 AM
Too right George!!

Barny.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on September 21, 2009, 09:37:42 AM
Why is the messaging system not working?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John R on September 21, 2009, 12:31:12 PM
Quote from: Barny
Why is the messaging system not working?

I don't think it is available any more - for technical reasons concerning this forum product. Hence some discussion and trials some little while back re a new forum venue. Paul is in Plakias right now (I join him there tomorrow - hurray) and he will no doubt be able to confirm when he gets back - or if he sees this on his slumbers while there.

John R
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John R on September 21, 2009, 12:34:05 PM
Quote from: George
Hi dimitri
To the majority of people on this site Plakias still is paradise, and we'll be returning year after year. You don't think a little bit of building work way outside town is going to put the genuine Plakiasites off do you?
Horrible? There won't be many people on this site who'll agree with you!

george...

Totally agreed. We return there tomorrow without a single worry about any of these things. Worthy of discussion not not particularly worrying.

John R
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Barny on September 21, 2009, 12:42:52 PM
Thanks for the info'  You have a good time, wish I was there too!

                                        Barny.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ploppy on September 21, 2009, 04:56:44 PM
Quote from: Barny
Why is the messaging system not working?

Barny, Invision have disabled it as a security measure and to force people to upgrade to a newer version. However if we did that we would lose some functionality. There is some discussion in a poll/thread in the Forum/Website group.

John, get ready for the wind  Blowing a gale today, sand exfoliation is good for the skin though.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: dimitri on September 21, 2009, 05:50:03 PM
Quote from: George
Quote from: dimitri
mm interesting pics,reminds me of why i never go back,must be horrible there now.
but thats progress i guess.
i like to remember damnoni when only a small track led to it and no hotels existed anywhere there or in plakia,what an end to one of the most charming and pretty places in crete.when i first looked down on plakia from mirthios after a motorcycle ride it seemed like paradise.
Hi dimitri
To the majority of people on this site Plakias still is paradise, and we'll be returning year after year. You don't think a little bit of building work way outside town is going to put the genuine Plakiasites off do you?
Horrible? There won't be many people on this site who'll agree with you!

george...
when i lived in mirthios you saw hardly a soul from the end of the season till easter.in winter the beach was mine alone,the hills were empty save for the odd sheep herd.no devolpment existed on a larger than rent room scale.the only voices you heard were greek,maybe a lone traveller who stayed a night or two in the mirthios youth hostel,but that was it.there was a dirt track into plakia and no more than a small taverna and a couple of rent rooms.the owner of the taverna and his brother a local fisherman built the little hotel down by the sunshine pub and it all began to take off.
i guess compared to magaluff it is quiet,but i prefer to remember her as she was in her youth,beutifull,warm,full of promise and with looks to die for.ahhhhhhhhh.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: mellowmel on September 21, 2009, 06:04:18 PM
Quote from: dimitri
Quote from: George
Quote from: dimitri
mm interesting pics,reminds me of why i never go back,must be horrible there now.
but thats progress i guess.
i like to remember damnoni when only a small track led to it and no hotels existed anywhere there or in plakia,what an end to one of the most charming and pretty places in crete.when i first looked down on plakia from mirthios after a motorcycle ride it seemed like paradise.
Hi dimitri
To the majority of people on this site Plakias still is paradise, and we'll be returning year after year. You don't think a little bit of building work way outside town is going to put the genuine Plakiasites off do you?
Horrible? There won't be many people on this site who'll agree with you!

george...
when i lived in mirthios you saw hardly a soul from the end of the season till easter.in winter the beach was mine alone,the hills were empty save for the odd sheep herd.no devolpment existed on a larger than rent room scale.the only voices you heard were greek,maybe a lone traveller who stayed a night or two in the mirthios youth hostel,but that was it.there was a dirt track into plakia and no more than a small taverna and a couple of rent rooms.the owner of the taverna and his brother a local fisherman built the little hotel down by the sunshine pub and it all began to take off.
i guess compared to magaluff it is quiet,but i prefer to remember her as she was in her youth,beutifull,warm,full of promise and with looks to die for.ahhhhhhhhh.



STREWTH !
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: John R on September 21, 2009, 07:57:20 PM
Quote from: Ploppy
John, get ready for the wind  Blowing a gale today, sand exfoliation is good for the skin though.

Wind - what wind I say. Never windy in Plakias - surely not. My 10 day forecast says all ok till Sept 29th when there are scattered showers. Surely that is more reliable than info from someone who is actually there !!

See you soon (If I can see you for dust).

John R
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Ploppy on September 22, 2009, 10:12:43 AM
Quote from: John R
Surely that is more reliable than info from someone who is actually there !!

See you soon (If I can see you for dust).

John R


Scattered snow showers today but at least the wind has dropped a little, force 8 instead of 9.

(one part of that sentence isn't wholly accurate)
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Chas on September 24, 2009, 06:28:02 PM
Quote from: Ploppy
Quote from: John R
Surely that is more reliable than info from someone who is actually there !!

See you soon (If I can see you for dust).

John R


Scattered snow showers today but at least the wind has dropped a little, force 8 instead of 9.

(one part of that sentence isn't wholly accurate)
That'd be the wind actually going down from 10 to 9 ?
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: jann on June 15, 2010, 10:16:08 AM
any updates on this topic?  ie, building developments  

Jann
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: travellingran on June 15, 2010, 02:40:21 PM
Quote from: jann
any updates on this topic?  ie, building developments  

Jann

I returned last week having spent three sublime weeks in paradise. Looking around I felt that although some of the ongoing construction appears to be continuing , albeit slowly, the building sites that most bothered me were the many on both side of the main road into Plakias. From the church upwards and the little road from the church to Antonis' on the  beach road. Such very pretty meadows all disappearing. Ho Hum.
I feel the financial situation may be slowing some new builds down but still more are being started and left unfinished. That is more or less par for the course I feel.

The slower the better !.

Heather.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on June 16, 2010, 01:32:31 PM
Quote from: travellingran
The slower the better!

Heather.
Hello Heather,

Many, including me, will agree with these sentiments. I still think the large development on the way to the far end is the one to worry about as it has the potential to change the character of the place. It sounds like some folk haven't realised there is a Europe-wide recession going on.

Re. your 3 weeks, did you manage to persuade Olympic to allow you to go for an extra week or did you book independently?

Mike
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Greecemad on July 11, 2010, 09:31:49 PM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: travellingran
The slower the better!

Heather.
Hello Heather,

Many, including me, will agree with these sentiments. I still think the large development on the way to the far end is the one to worry about as it has the potential to change the character of the place. It sounds like some folk haven't realised there is a Europe-wide recession going on.

Re. your 3 weeks, did you manage to persuade Olympic to allow you to go for an extra week or did you book independently?

Mike

Hi all,

Not been on the board for months. Are there are any recent pics of the devlopment anywhere?

greecemad
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: travellingran on July 12, 2010, 10:26:31 AM
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: travellingran
The slower the better!

Heather.
Hello Heather,

Many, including me, will agree with these sentiments. I still think the large development on the way to the far end is the one to worry about as it has the potential to change the character of the place. It sounds like some folk haven't realised there is a Europe-wide recession going on.

Re. your 3 weeks, did you manage to persuade Olympic to allow you to go for an extra week or did you book independently?

Mike


Hello Mike,

I have only just noticed your posting. I do apologise for replying so late in the day.

Re; my three weeks in Plakias this year. Olympic would not book more than 2 weeks at all. The old adage that I am only a single traveller and " not worth it to the accommodation owner " was wheeled out. So this year I did indeed book independently. I booked a flight in August 2009. Easyjet (grrrrrr) but only £123 for the 3 weeks so I booked that. I had asked Rowena and Carl previously if I may rent their apartment so this is exactly what I did.

Okay - cost a bit more than a package but the benefits wholly outweighed the advantages. I had 3 sublime weeks at R and C's apartment  so it truly was worth it. No messing around with ghastly transfers or being allocated the worst room .  Not easyjet next time though. I am not fast enough on my feet to cope with the sprinting involved ! .

Wholly recommend you try it if poss., I am converted !!.

Roll on next May.

Heather.
Title: Worrying Development
Post by: Mike G on July 12, 2010, 01:41:51 PM
Quote from: travellingran
Quote from: Mike G
Quote from: travellingran
The slower the better!

Heather.
Hello Heather,

Many, including me, will agree with these sentiments. I still think the large development on the way to the far end is the one to worry about as it has the potential to change the character of the place. It sounds like some folk haven't realised there is a Europe-wide recession going on.

Re. your 3 weeks, did you manage to persuade Olympic to allow you to go for an extra week or did you book independently?

Mike


Hello Mike,

I have only just noticed your posting. I do apologise for replying so late in the day.

Re; my three weeks in Plakias this year. Olympic would not book more than 2 weeks at all. The old adage that I am only a single traveller and " not worth it to the accommodation owner " was wheeled out. So this year I did indeed book independently. I booked a flight in August 2009. Easyjet (grrrrrr) but only £123 for the 3 weeks so I booked that. I had asked Rowena and Carl previously if I may rent their apartment so this is exactly what I did.

Okay - cost a bit more than a package but the benefits wholly outweighed the advantages. I had 3 sublime weeks at R and C's apartment  so it truly was worth it. No messing around with ghastly transfers or being allocated the worst room .  Not easyjet next time though. I am not fast enough on my feet to cope with the sprinting involved ! .

Wholly recommend you try it if poss., I am converted !!.

Roll on next May.

Heather.
Hello Heather,

No problem about the delay in replying. I'm glad you enjoyed it- 3 week holidays are great aren't they for those with the time. Manos used to allow them (but not to Plakias obviously) but have recently been "Thomas Cooked" so are now much less customer focussed.

I'm interested in your Easyjet comments as many on this forum swear by them and when I have occasionally used them (not to Crete) thought they were fine. Why the rush to get on quickly when you are on your own? You know you won't have to stand!

Mike