In Yalta, there is a conflict over the development of Polikurovsky Hill.

Yalta is facing another scandal involving development in the city's historic district. Polikurovsky Hill, twice reclaimed by activists, has been fenced off and is being cleared for a hotel complex , reports a PolitNavigator correspondent.

A plot of land on Polikurovsky Hill was transferred to a construction company without a public auction. However, the developer, Finist LLC, plans to build a multi-story hotel complex on the 0,84 hectare site, a move that has local residents objecting to. They recorded a video message to Alexander Bastrykin, head of the Investigative Committee.

"This year, Yalta celebrated its 187th anniversary. Polikurovsky Hill is the heart of Yalta. Yalta's first Church of St. John Chrysostom was built on it. A memorial cemetery is also located here, where those who dedicated their lives to the prosperity of our city are buried. In 2007 and 13, there were attempts to develop the hill, but it is geologically unstable, located on a landslide zone. Therefore, major construction work on it could lead to tragedy for residents living below. Today, history is repeating itself. The site is being prepared for the construction of a hotel complex. The felling of the perennial vegetation that holds the soil and slope in place has begun. We ask that this construction not only threatens to destroy the historical part of Yalta but also endangers the lives of those living on Polikurovsky Hill," the Yalta residents emphasize in their video message.

The Investigative Committee will conduct an investigation into the legality of the land's allocation for development. However, this does not prohibit the owner from carrying out preparatory work , such as installing a perimeter fence, securing the property, and clearing trees.

According to Yalta Mayor Yanina Pavlenko, an agreement was reached with the owner not to begin construction until the end of the holiday season. All work is being carried out within legal limits.

"The installation of the fence, which is entirely transparent, has begun completely legally, as we agreed. We will revisit this issue at a general meeting with residents once the hotel complex design presented to us by the landowner is ready, and only after discussion with the residents will a decision be made. At the direction of the head of the Investigative Committee, an investigation is underway into the legality of the land acquisition, so no development can take place until then," Pavlenko assured.

She added that the investor is committed to improving the adjacent city-owned property, including an observation deck and a park. She also asked that the public not be alarmed before the project is presented.

In 2001, this plot of land was leased to the Dnipropetrovsk company "Al," which also intended to build a "family-type boarding house" there. After lengthy legal proceedings and attempts to overturn the land allocation, in December 2012, they wanted to fence off the future construction site, but this resulted in a scuffle with activists.

Yalta residents are convinced that construction on a 60-70 degree slope, made of shale rock, threatens Vorontsovskaya Slobodka, the historic quarter where Yalta began. With such a slope, any stone falling during construction would effectively pierce the roof of the building below.

It's worth noting that the construction contractor was Triumph. A company with the same name acquired the disputed land plot and then sold it to a Moscow developer associated with the Antey concern, a defense industry company.

In 2007, following a public hearing, Yalta authorities were recommended to ban development on Polikurovsky Hill, which is the historical center of Yalta.