Trillion-lira zoning favor from CHP-run Bodrum Municipality to pro-government Kalyon

An area in Bodrum registered as an olive grove has been transformed into a massive construction site through a change in the zoning plan. The fact that the CHP-run municipality granted a trillion-lira favor to Kalyon, known for its proximity to the government, has raised questions.

According to a report by Mustafa Gündoğ from Bodrumhaber.com, the 102-decare area, which is registered as an "Olive Grove" in the land registry and lacks zoning, was purchased by Yalıköy Turizm Yatırım ve İşletme Anonim Şirketi, owned by Hüseyin Şeherli, the son-in-law of Kalyon Holding boss Hasan Kalyoncu. Following the purchase, a zoning plan was rapidly created, the process was taken to court, and a stay of execution was issued. However, this decision did not stop the project; the plan was reorganized, a new lawsuit was filed, and the process continued. While there was initially permission for only 1,321 square meters of construction area, the change made after objections increased this area by 30 times to 31,024 square meters.

BODRUM MUNICIPALITY'S SCANDALOUS DECISION

Despite the court's stay of execution, the Bodrum Municipality issued a zoning status document to the investor as if a valid plan existed. Moreover, this decision was made despite the opposition of the Muğla Metropolitan Municipality. Thus, the transformation of a public area into a trillion-lira rent-seeking opportunity through plan changes was officially approved.

It did not stop there; a new land allocation was also made for İSPA İnşaat, a subsidiary of Kalyon Holding. With the intervention of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, an area of 204,569 square meters in Kızılağaç neighborhood was also allocated to the same group. Thus, the total area in the hands of the investor close to the government reached 350,000 square meters.

BODRUM MUNICIPALITY PAVED THE WAY FOR RENT-SEEKING

In its response to the Sözcü newspaper regarding the matter, the Bodrum Municipality argued that the process was conducted entirely within a legal framework.

The statement from the municipality included the following expressions:

“Yalıköy Turizm Yatırım ve İşletme Anonim Şirketi requested a zoning document for the land in Kızılağaç neighborhood. Although a conservation-oriented zoning plan approved by the Ministry of Environment on 29.01.2024 was in effect for this location, we asked the ministry whether there was any objection to the zoning document, as this plan was prepared in line with objections made to the previous cancelled plan. We issued a zoning status document for the land in accordance with the ministry's opinion letter. The Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change also approved the transaction. In short, the process was carried out in accordance with legal and administrative procedures. As Bodrum Municipality, our work is carried out transparently in line with legal regulations.”

News Source: 12punto