The Environmental and Cultural Heritage Society (ELLET) warns unchecked hotel construction is causing “a new, irreversible alteration” to the island of Milos, accusing the Environment Ministry of leaving it “defenseless.”

Despite revelations that the local urban planning office had granted building rights on plots lacking access to official roads authorities have not reviewed or suspended existing permits, ELLET said. New hotels are now rising in Mytakas and Agios Konstantinos, allegedly without legal road access.

Developers insist all permits are valid, citing necessary approvals and describing the projects as proportionate to land size. ELLET countered that Milos “cannot endure further sacrifice of its natural beauty to unregulated ‘development,’” urging the ministry to halt construction until urban plans are finalized. More than 50 hotels and numerous smaller lodgings are currently in various licensing stages across the island.