Minister of Culture Sergiu Prodan signed an order to suspend the permit to build on the site of the former Gaudeamus cinema, IPN reports.
"We are not talking about cancellation. We are talking about suspension. This suspension order was signed based on the Urban Planning Code. The construction works are to be stopped because they are illegal and we will prove this," said Sergiu Prodan.
All those concerned - the Chisinau City Hall, which issued the permit, the contractor and the Monument Inspection Agency - are to be informed about this order.
"We will challenge this permit, but, to prevent the works from continuing, we made use of provisions of the Urban Planning Code and issued the order to suspend this construction permit," said Minister Prodan.
The construction that is to be erected in place of the former Gaudeamus cinema has been a subject of dispute for a long time.
The Chisinau City Hall confirmed that it had issued permissive document for the construction of a multifunctional complex on Vasile Alecsandri St, in place of the former cinema. Deputy mayor Ilie Ceban said that the documents were issued according to the law and that the building will not be higher than 15 floors.
The Ministry of Culture said that both the Ministry and the Monument Inspection Agency will request the cancellation of the construction permit in court because the required assessments were not requested.
