On June 30 Nessebar municipal council permitted the controversial construction work in the Irakli region, one of the few remaining wild beach areas in Bulgaria.

The council refused to pass the construction ban proposed by mayor Nikolai Trifonov on grounds that it had no authority to change conditions already stated in the construction order.

Representatives of 10 environmental organisations held a rally in front of the municipal council building, Focus news agency reported. The rally is supported by owners of agricultural land in the villages of Emona and Banya near the Irakli region.

Local residents sent a declaration to Nessebar municipality requesting a ban over beach construction and new regulations to protect regional environment.

Environment and Water Affairs and Regional Development ministries organised a meeting to discuss coastal construction problems in Bulgaria. Varna and Bourgas regional governors would also take part in the forum. At the meeting the Environment Ministry should decide whether to include the Irakli region in the list of protected zones.