Ascea, a hotel under construction near the Velia archaeological site has been seized.

Salerno – The area seized near the archaeological excavations of Velia, in the province of Salerno, extends over 2 square meters. The Carabinieri of the Cilento and Vallo di Diano National Park Unit, acting on orders from the Vallo della Lucania Public Prosecutor's Office, executed a precautionary seizure order issued by the preliminary investigations judge (GIP) on a hotel under construction—following a dispute before the administrative court—in the Marina district of Piana di Velia di Ascea, near the Velia archaeological site.

The reasons for the kidnapping

The seizure – according to a note signed by Prosecutor Francesco Rotondo – was ordered because the authorization issued by the One-Stop Shop for Productive Activities (SUAP) of Cilento on August 10, 2009, which permitted the construction of the building, and the subsequent Resolution of the One-Stop Shop for Construction (SUE) of the Municipality of Ascea on November 13, 2018, confirming the aforementioned authorization, were issued in violation of the regional law establishing a landscape and environmental redevelopment zone around the ancient city of Velia.

In this area, until the detailed redevelopment plan is approved (which has not yet occurred), it is prohibited to make any changes to the landscaping or carry out any construction work, with the exception of conservation and restoration work on existing buildings and with an exemption for public works or works of public interest, provided that the projects are also approved by the competent superintendencies, in accordance with the objectives of the detailed plan.

The extent of the intervention

The seized building, including its surrounding area, has a total surface area of ​​approximately 2.000 square meters. Work was still ongoing at the time of the intervention.