Lom is the municipality against the trend when it comes to cabin construction in Mountain Norway. They have invested in travel and tourism instead of a massive development of cabins. But in a seat area by the Tesse lake, just east of Jotunheimen, there were proposals for several cottage projects. Just before Christmas, all the plans were shelved, following pressure from, among other things, grazers, farmers’ associations, Birdlife and the Nature Conservation Association. WAS STOPPED: Plans for several projects at the water Tesse in Lom were stopped before Christmas. Photo: Reidar Gregersen – We gathered and marked resistance. There is a long grazing and cultural history here, says Nelly Karidatter Einstulen, head of the Nature Conservation Association in Ottadalen and Sel. She says that they were very happy and very relieved when the plans were put on hold. – This is a happy thing and there aren’t that many of those happy things. So it’s worth celebrating every single one, she says. COMPREHENSIVE: Cottage construction has been massive in many municipalities in the interior. Here from Mosetertoppen on Hafjell. Photo: Reidar Gregersen / news Majority against cabin building In a new survey, she is supported by a majority of those living in Eastern Norway. It is precisely in Eastern Norway, and in areas such as Viken, Innlandet, Vestfold and Telemark, that the cabin pressure has been greatest. In the survey, which was carried out by Ipsos for Norsk Friluftsliv, 54 per cent say that today’s cabin development is too harsh on nature. 35 percent believe that we have enough space. Leader of the Oppland Farmers’ and Small Farmers’ Association, Hallvar Helland, stood together with the Nature Conservation Association in the fight against cabin construction in Lom. He is not surprised by the results of the survey. – Tida works for protection and for open fields and for the traditional use that leaves no trace to win the day, he says. Helland points out that it is not only untouched nature, but also the areas for farming in Norway that are under pressure. He emphasizes that the rangeland resources are needed for grazing and to provide food for the people. – It is not just the cabin field, but a large surrounding area that is affected, he says. Will take more into account Mayor of Lom, Bjarne Eiolf Holø (Sp), represents a municipality that has chosen differently to many other municipalities. He is cautious about giving advice to other municipalities because of their right to self-determination. – But I would think that it is wise to see if there are other things to focus on than building down more and larger areas for leisure development, he says. With Sjusjøen, Ringsaker municipality has Norway’s largest collection of cabins. In total, there are approximately 7,300 holiday homes in the municipality. Ringsaker: Would choose differently today Mayor Anita Ihle Steen (Ap) has for the past 16 years represented a municipality that has invested in cottage construction. – In hindsight, we would have chosen differently today, especially where it was built on bog, she says. Before Christmas, a planned development at Sjusjøen in Lunkelia was also shelved. There was an enormous commitment to preserving the area. LISTENING: Mayor Anita Ihle Steen (Ap) in Ringsaker has helped to stop some development plans, but does not want a construction halt in Hyttefjellet. Photo: Reidar Gregersen – We didn’t see how much it meant to people and we have taken that into account, she says. There will be no construction halt at Sjusjøen As a politician, she believes it is right to take into account surveys that say that the cottage development is too massive. – People are much more aware and think that we should slow down a bit in relation to how we consume nature, says Ihle Steen. But construction on Sjusjøen will not be halted for that reason. Sjusjøen is popular and many people want to have a cabin there. – Therefore, densification is the word here. We must use the area that has already been put to use and not use new untouched areas. Requires greater government management Coordinator of the Forum for Nature and Outdoor Activities in the Interior, Morten Aas, is not surprised by the results of the survey. He believes a new national cottage policy must be in place to ensure a policy that is in line with what people really want. – Today there is no national policy on cottage development. There is no regional policy. Then we are there that all responsibility lies with the municipalities. WANTS NATIONAL POLICY: The organization Norsk Friluftsliv believes that the state must create clearer regulations to gain control over the construction of cabins. Photo: Reidar Gregersen / news He points to two reasons why the development rate of cabins is so high. Firstly, because the municipalities are struggling with evictions and little activity in the business world. Secondly, only the developers are the active party and enter the areas they want to develop for the municipalities. – So the nature user, leisure user or pasture user who is satisfied with the way it is today can take it easy, he says. About the survey The survey was carried out by Ipsos for Norwegian outdoor activities. It is a joint organization for the 18 large outdoor life organizations in Norway. Ipsos is an independent market analysis agency and has ensured that the questions are as neutral and open as possible. Both being positive and negative towards cabin building appear as equal answer options. Respondents: 1003
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54 per cent worried about cottage development – news Innlandet – Local news, TV and radio
