DIDIM Mayor Deniz Atabay has moved to publicly deny that he has received notification of a court decision over a potential 9-storey development that would tower over Tuntas Beach (Second Beach).

Two years ago, building work of the 50 million Turkish Lira, 90-apartment development directly behind Tuntas Hotel was stopped in its tracks when the local council cancelled the permission and licence for the project.

The developer, which had completed the groundworks and claimed to have sold 40 apartments, appealed the decision to a higher court.

At last Friday’s weekly press briefing, Mr Atabay issued denials that he had received notification of the higher court’s decision – even thought it was being suggested and claimed in certain circles that it had found in favour of the developer.

An artist’s mock up of what the 9-storey might look like towering over Tuntas Hotel and be seen along the Altinkum coastline. (Image: Mavi Didim)

The original licence was passed by former mayor Mumin Kamaci.

But Mr Atabay said the council had not received any official decisions from the State Council. Any notification would be to the council as one of the concerned parties and there would be a 15-day statutory period for appeal.

He said no such process had begun and the authority had not received any decision.