Brazen Entrepreneur Built Three Times in Protected Zone

A striking case of blatant disregard for environmental protection laws has emerged in Rovinj, where a businesswoman has been charged with illegally constructing three separate structures within a strictly protected natural zone. This incident underscores a persistent problem of illegal construction that authorities are striving to curb.

The 40-year-old entrepreneur, acting both as an investor and the head of a construction company, allegedly began building concrete foundations and ground-floor structures, along with associated infrastructure, outside the designated building area. Despite intervention from the relevant inspectorate ordering a halt to the work, she reportedly persisted, commencing further concrete work and building a retaining wall, and even constructing a drainage system improperly on state-owned land within the protected area.

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Osumnjičena je od travnja 2021. do kolovoza 2025. izvan građevinskog područja, odnosno na prostoru zaštićenog dijela prirode, kao investitor, ali i kao odgovorna osoba u pravnoj osobi koja se bavi poslovima gradnje, započela s gradnjom betonske podloge i prizemnog objekta s popratnom infrastrukturom.

This case is not isolated. Istrian police have previously prosecuted both domestic and foreign investors for similar offenses, including building in protected coastal or forest areas. Recent examples include an Italian and an Austrian national involved in unauthorized clearing and construction. The persistence of such behavior, even after legal prohibitions, highlights a concerning level of audacity among some developers.

With the implementation of Croatia's new Construction Act, individuals found guilty of such violations, particularly those involving illegal construction on protected state land, now face the possibility of imprisonment. This stricter legal framework, long advocated by Istrian politicians, aims to provide a more effective deterrent against illegal building and protect the country's valuable natural heritage. The Rovinj case serves as a stark reminder of the consequences for those who prioritize profit over environmental preservation and legal compliance.

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Nakon što je nadležni inspektorat zabranio daljnju gradnju, 40-godišnjakinja je od prosinca prošle godine započela betoniranje podloga i izgradnje građevine i ogradnog zida, a naložila je i izgradnju sustava odvodnje koji su nepropisno građeni na zemljištu u vlasništvu Republike Hrvatske na zaštićenom području prirode.