Residents of Mykolaiv spoke out against a petrol station in the green belt at a public meeting: «We will not allow trees to be felled»
- News of Mykolaiv
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- Darina Melnychuk
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10:20, 17 April, 2026
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill VitvitskyiIn Mykolaiv, residents held a meeting near the green space at the junction of Bohoiavlenskyi Avenue and Kobera Street, where a petrol station complex is planned to be built.
This was reported by a correspondent for NikVesti.
It should be noted that on 1 April, it became known that the company ‘Svit Zdorov’ya’ had, on its third attempt, passed the public consultation and received permission to build a petrol station complex with car service shops in the green area near the Mykolaiv ‘Zorya’ factory at the intersection of Kobera Street and Bohoiavlenskyi Avenue.
Local resident Nataliia Koroliova says that residents of Kobera Lane and the surrounding high-rise blocks are opposed to the construction. According to her, this is not the first time people have gathered here to voice their opposition.
«This is a green recreational area. We are categorically against the felling of living trees. It is a crime against people. We do not want to breathe in petrol fumes and put our children and ourselves at risk. We want to live in peace. If, God forbid, something happens, everyone will suffer. We have gathered here many times before; it’s just that it’s working hours now, so there are fewer people. Previously, 300–400 people would turn up. How many more times do we have to come out? We don’t need a petrol station here, nor any development. Let the trees and the green zone remain here,» said Nataliia Koroliova.
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered on the site where a petrol station is planned. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill VitvitskyiMykolaiv residents also point out that there is an industrial plant and a busy main road nearby, so the greenery here reduces air pollution and improves the environmental situation.
«There’s already harmful industry here: electroplating, thermal processes, a factory nearby. Plus, there’s a busy road right next to it. And now they want to cut everything down. We absolutely need these oak trees, this grass, all this greenery,» say the residents.
Alla Ryazhskikh, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council from the European Solidarity party, noted that relevant appeals have already been sent to law enforcement agencies regarding the legality of the construction.
«We have sent a request to the regional prosecutor regarding the urban planning documentation. As a positive conclusion was issued by the central authority — the Ministry of Economy — we have also approached the Office of the Prosecutor General and the specialised prosecutor’s office. This is a matter for the experts. As far as I am aware, work is already underway,» said Alla Riazhskykh.
Alla Riazhskykh, a member of the Mykolaiv Regional Council from the European Solidarity party. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill VitvitskyiShe added that such actions are important for protecting the community’s interests and preserving the environment.
«Every such event is a step towards preventing the destruction of nature and disregard for people. According to the master plan, this is a recreational area, and it must remain so. A public garden or park should be created here, trees planted, rather than a petrol station being built,» said Alla Riazhskykh.
Also on that day, the State Environmental Inspectorate carried out a survey of this green area, where the company «Svit Zdoroviia» LLC plans to build a petrol station complex.
During the inspection of the 0.76-hectare site, a significant number of trees and self-sown vegetation were recorded. In total, there are 217 trees and shrubs growing on the site. Of these, 185 trees, including oaks, elms, birches, poplars and acacias, are in good or satisfactory condition.
Photo report
Residents of Mykolaivka gathered on the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
The site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill Vitvitskyi
Residents of Mykolaiv gathered at the site where a petrol station is planned to be built. Photo: NikVesti, Kirill VitvitskyiConstruction of a petrol station in Mykolaiv
On 1 April, it emerged that the company ‘Svit Zdorov’ya’ had, on its third attempt, passed the public consultation process and received permission to build a petrol station complex with car service shops in the green belt near the Mykolaiv-based ‘Zorya’ factory, at the junction of Kobera Street and Bohoiavlenskyi Avenue.
NikVesti has learnt that the environmental impact assessment (EIA) report was signed by Vitalii Kindrativ, Deputy Minister of Economy, Environment and Agriculture, who served as Deputy Head of the Mykolaiv Regional State Administration in 2016–2017.
Against this backdrop, residents of the Inhulskyi district of Mykolaiv have appealed to MP Ihor Kopytin, asking him to intervene in the situation surrounding the planned construction of the petrol station complex. Local residents are demanding that the green area be preserved and that the felling of 192 trees, including mature oaks, be prevented. Following this, the MP appealed to Prime Minister Yuliia Svyrydenko and asked her to intervene in the situation.
It was previously reported that the Mykolaiv Department of Housing and Communal Services had identified inaccuracies in the environmental impact assessment report concerning the construction of a petrol station complex in Mykolaiv, in the park near «Zoria». They are proposing that the company abandon the construction or relocate the facility to another site.
As is known, on 23 February, a second public hearing was held regarding the construction of the petrol station in the park near «Zoria». Representatives of the developer faced a barrage of criticism from local residents, who vowed to defend the green space. In particular, environmental activist and head of the organisation «Eco-Oberih Mykolaiv», Larysa Leonova, highlighted violations during the public consultation on the construction of the petrol station, which is planned to be built on the site of the green space.
The Ministry of Economy held a second round of public consultations regarding the construction of the petrol station. The previous public hearings took place online on 2 July 2025. At that time, participants criticised the EIA report and accused the developer of plagiarism.
In November 2025, readers of NikVesti drew attention to markings on oak trees and expressed concern that the area might be cleared for the construction of a petrol station. Following this, environmentalists inspected the oak trees along Kobera Street in Mykolaiv, near the Zoria factory. According to the inspectors’ findings, all the trees are in satisfactory condition, the markings were applied haphazardly, and there are no grounds for felling them.
Read also the article «How did the city council hand over land for the construction of a petrol station in Mykolaiv instead of going to court?»
This material was produced within the REACH – Media Partnerships for Accountability and Trust project, implemented by International Media Support (IMS) and supported by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark. The content reflects the views of the authors and not necessarily those of the Danish government. Denmark’s support strengthens civil society and independent media in Ukraine, including in Mykolaiv.