Court grants stay of execution for gas station construction on green area in Black Sea province

AMASYA

Residents of Amasya started gathering late on June 3 after workers started to cut trees on a plot of land with 137 trees in the center of the town. AA Photo

A Samsun court has granted a stay of execution for a gas station project which was slated to be built in a green area in the Black Sea province of Amasya following locals’ demonstrations.

The court issued the decision regarding a revision of the development plan in 2006, the organization of the parcel in 2008 and the construction permit given in 2014.

The court will make the final verdict after defense of the company is taken, Amasya Bar Association head Ahemt Melik Derindere said.

Amasya Mayor Cafer Özdemir from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) also said they filed a lawsuit for the cancellation of the license given to the company for construction.

Residents of Amasya started gathering late on June 3 after workers started to cut trees on a plot of land with 137 trees in the center of the town belonging to the Turkish State Railways and used by locals as a major recreation and picnic area.

The demonstrators that flocked to the park prevented workers from continuing their work. Police officers immediately dispatched to the area failed to convince the dismayed residents, who knocked down the steel sheet walls surrounding the construction area and began to occupy the land. Some locals said the construction of a gas station would also cause problems for a primary school located just 25 meters from the park. Dozens of demonstrators stood guard all night to prevent workers from returning.