Highway land case heads to court — Apokoronas landowners told to act before September
Owners of land along the first section of Crete's north coast highway (BOAK) are facing a significant court date. On September 22, 2026, the Court of Appeal in Chania will hear an application filed by the Greek state seeking the formal handover of privately owned plots within the highway corridor. The Municipality of Apokoronas has issued an official notice informing residents of the hearing.
What is being decided?
The state has applied to the court under the compulsory acquisition framework, asking that landowners in the first section of the BOAK project formally transfer their land as part of the highway development. The BOAK — the Northern Road Axis of Crete — is a long-running infrastructure project aimed at improving the main road connection along the island's north coast, and this court session marks a concrete step in the legal process of acquiring the land needed for it.
Who is affected?
Anyone who owns land within the first section of the BOAK route in the Apokoronas area may be directly affected by this hearing. If you are unsure whether your land falls within the affected zone, it is important to check with a lawyer well before the September court date.
What should you do?
The municipality is explicitly recommending that affected residents seek independent legal advice to protect their rights before the hearing. The Chania Bar Association has informed the municipality that it plans to hold public information sessions in the communities directly affected in the coming weeks. Exact dates for those sessions have not yet been announced but will be publicised in the local press.
Key details at a glance
- Court hearing: September 22, 2026, Court of Appeal, Chania
- What is at stake: Formal handover of private land in the first BOAK section
- Action needed: Seek legal advice before the hearing
- Information sessions: To be announced by the Chania Bar Association in the coming weeks