site.bta Decision to Scrap Special Statute of Museum Town Triggers Nation-wide Outcry, Gets Rejected by Regional Governor

Decision to Scrap Special Statute of Museum Town Triggers Nation-wide Outcry, Gets Rejected by Regional Governor

Sofia, March 31 (BTA) - Having triggered a nation-wide outcry in the two days after it was made public, a decision by the municipal council in the museum town of Koprivshtitsa, central Bulgaria, to scrap the town's statute as an architectural and historical reserve was sent back for reconsideration as being unlawful by Sofia Regional Governor Sofia Torolova.

The decision was a front-page news on Wednesday when it became clear that the local parliament had adopted it under the pressure of a local businessman who sees the town's special statute as a hurdle to his business plans including large-scale construction, a ski lift, a biomass-fuelled power plant and a spa centre.

The statute of historical and architectural reserves sets strict restrictions on any development plans and business activity in the town in order to make sure its unique architecture stays intact.

Koprivshtitsa was declared an architectural and historical reserve by a Council of Ministers act in 1971 and the town owes to it its fame as one of Bulgaria's prime tourist destinations.

The Regional Governor's order that returns the municipal council's decision argues that changing the statute of an immovable cultural value is outside the scope of powers of the municipal council.

In a statement declaring its support for preserving Koprivshtitsa's special statute, the Tourism Ministry said Friday that official figures show an increase by over 70 per cent of overnights in the museum town to 5,976 in 2016 compared to 2014. The figure includes only accommodation facilities with 10 or more beds.

The reported income from overnights during the same period was 28 per cent higher than in 2014, at 127,000 leva.

Tourism is a staple industry in this town along with animal husbandry.

The National Association of Municipalities in Bulgaria insists that Koprivshtitsa and all other 42 architectural and historical reserves in Bulgaria preserve their statute, the Association's Chairman and Veliko Turnovo Mayor Daniel Panov told BTA.

In a social media post on Thursday President Rumen Radev urged all competent authorities to bar the decision. GERB leader Boyko Borissov said he spoke to the Koprivshtitsa mayor and he promised to do his best to reverse the decision. At least two petitions were launched on public media to protect the town's special statute, gathering thousands of supporters.