Outrage has erupted on one of Greece’s historic Cycladic islands, after it was claimed that a major expansion of a luxury hotel complex is proceeding dangerously close to the island’s famous beach. The development is said to be taking place near the iconic Sarakiniko Beach, known for its moon-like white rock formations on the island of Milos.

According to Skai.gr, the complex is being built in the Mytakas area, despite legal action taken by authorities against the project. The developer aims to transform a 30-suite property into a sprawling 171-suite resort, equipped with private pools and high-end amenities. It has already expanded within a short distance of the shoreline, according to a YouTube video shared by Proto Thema, and investigations suggest the project may be encroaching on a protected zone outside approved urban planning boundaries. The municipality of Milos has filed an appeal with the Council of State, Greece’s highest administrative court.

However, despite the case being pending and the hearing being delayed, construction work has reportedly continued. 

Sarakiniko Beach, on the north shore of Milos, is known for its smooth, white volcanic rock formations sculpted by wind and waves over millennia. It is one of the most photographed spots in the Aegean, thanks to its crystal-clear blue waters, cliff jumping spots and a small, sheltered sandy cove. 

However, the popular spot has become a victim of its own success and is now suffering from significant pressure from overtourism and rapid, unchecked development. There is a “construction overdrive” on the island, with numerous hotels and luxury developments causing alarm among locals. Residents fear that uncontrolled development is eroding the island’s unique charm, turning it into an overdeveloped destination like its neighbours Santorini and Mykonos. 

Last year, local building authorities revoked a separate hotel construction permit near the same beach following an investigation by the National Transparency Authority, which uncovered serious irregularities. By that time, however, significant environmental damage to the landscape had already occurred, reported ekathimerini.

This issue is not limited to Greece, either. Over in the Canary Islands, a major tourist project underway in Tenerife is also enraging locals and environmentalists. The project will see hundreds of homes built near the city of Adeje and the popular Playa de las Américas resort on the island’s southwestern coast. Offering a staggering 3,602 beds to tourists, it is estimated to cost around £36 million.

Critics have been denouncing the Tenerife project since its announcement, arguing that it will create a small town and have a severe impact on the nearby ecology, including, according to an update last month, the construction of a swimming pool and restaurant within a protected coastal zone.