Residents whose apartments face a yard on Central Yerevan’s Nalbandyan Street are at odds with a construction company that entered their yard and tried to remove trees on an “elite” construction site.

A month ago, Mayor of Yerevan Taron Margaryan ordered Avag Shin construction company to cease work in the yard at 106/1 Nalbandyan, however the company attempted to restart without a license.

“Avag Shin’ is entitled only to demolish and clean out the small cottages nearby. However, the company cannot touch the hole [where the foundation of the building will be constructed later], because it does not have permission to do it yet,” says Anahit Bakhshyan from Heritage parliamentary faction.

In January 2011, Yerevan Municipality sent a letter to the director of Avag Shin, saying that the 14 trees which hinder construction should not be removed until it is proven whether they can be successfully transplanted.

Bakhshyan says that the company can get a license only if plans are presented and are approved by residents.

On Tuesday Bakhshyan sent a letter to Margaryan demanding that he keep his promise to call a meeting with residents and Avag Shin.

“The project can be realized only by joint agreement of the parties. Only in this case can the company get a construction license,” Bakhshyan says.