Between my first and second visits an article appeared in the local press. You can read the full story here. Here's a taste of it though:

The Polis Chrysochous beach campsite, beloved by many for over 40 years, is on the brink of a massive makeover.

For those who remember it fondly since childhood, it may feel somewhat like watching one’s favourite wacky aunt going under the cosmetic surgeon’s knife for “improvements” after years of flaunting her own unique, albeit boorish, style.

Who knows if any good will come of it and what will emerge?

In many ways, the ramshackle free-for-all site for years represented a tiny bastion of well-intentioned and-mostly-good natured anarchy for young and old alike.

Under the breezy shelter of the eucalyptus grove, with the sea just a stone’s throw away, many-a-marshmallow was grilled, practical jokes hatched, games of tavli won, hangovers and sunburns nursed.

True, in high season in recent years the camping may have become a little too rowdy for old-timers, with the 20-somethings taking over en masse, blasting music and organising impromptu dance-offs late into the night. One might even, God forbid, imagine catching the occasional whiff of weed.

But even this seemed somehow part of it all, one of the few places left on the island where good humour and a giant YES to easy living could prevail, away from the watchful eye, or the wagging finger, of an ever-encroaching nanny state.

The article itself is well worth reading, and is fairly long. Here is another snippet:

Last year in October the municipality finally wrested control via an out-of-court agreement. The decision effectively ended the time-consuming legal process, started against the site manager in 2017.

The decision called for immediate reclamation of the site by the municipality and recognition of the rental arrears due in their entirety.

And so, the municipality is at long last free to move ahead with upgrades following plans which have gathered dust in a drawer since 2008. According to the municipality, the plans for the revamped site will preserve existing vegetation, in particular, protecting the spot’s iconic eucalyptus trees.

Proponents of leaving the site as is cried foul about ten years ago, when a number of trees were coppiced by forestry department staff. The municipality argued at the time that this had not been done in error, but that the trees felled had dried up naturally from seawater seeping into their roots.

Fears of a fire (as happened in August 2018) have required rushes and underbrush to be cleared from the site, mayor Yiotis Papachristofi told the Sunday Mail, and some thinning of trees may be needed.

Indeed, the thinning of trees were continuing on my second visit.

The cost for the upgrade has been set at €2.5 million and the municipality is in the process of seeking a strategic investor for the project with plans to be presented publicly on April 24.

According to Papachrystofi, the old buildings will be demolished and new ones, including a beach restaurant and three ablution blocks, will be erected at the same spots. A playground and a recreation centre are also envisioned.

Improvements will include paved roads ­– instead of the existing dirt tracks – and a clearly designated zone for caravans with electricity and water hook-ups. Twenty caravan parking spots are to be created, with an eye to preventing permanent stays, and 68 parking spots for campers have been allotted. This will be the only area where movement by vehicle will be permitted.

Closer to the sea will be the zone for tents, with footpaths guiding visitors to the beach. A small artificial pond has been proposed in the area where a natural spring pools.

Enthusiasts of the new plan have argued that the site will not lose any of its character and its magic, but will simply be cleaner, safer and more modern, offering better amenities.

So, it will be interesting to see what is revealed on April 24th. Whatever is published, the authorities need to sort out working sanitation as soon as possible if it is to be used as a Blue Flag Beach this summer. Also, the stream we saw earlier will need to be sprayed for mosquitos. This shouldn't be an issue though.

On my second visit I made a film showing the Campsite in all its needy glory.