– It can be felt as if I am sitting on open probation. This is how Håvard Hoff describes the feeling he has when he sits on his own veranda. The trial between the state and 230 landowners around the combat aircraft base on Ørlandet is in its second week. This week, the court has been out on an inspection among those affected, in order to get a better impression of what the establishment of the fighter base means for those who live around it. Håvard Hoff explained to the district court what it’s like to be at home and feel the sensation of all the cameras that are placed close around him. – I believe that there is something that is not as it should be, says Hoff. 230 landowners around the combat aircraft base on Ørlandet in Trøndelag have filed a mass lawsuit against the state. 34 of these have agricultural properties. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news Double fences in the garden Hoff’s house is next door to the air base. In recent years, major renovations have been made at the base to accommodate the new F-35 fighter jets. Among other things, double fences have been erected, ramparts have been built and much more surveillance equipment has been installed than before. Hoff feels that the cameras are getting very close to his private life. On top of this double fence is one of many surveillance cameras mounted around the airbase. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news But the ongoing trial is primarily about noise, and how the noise from the new F-35 fighter jet type affects those who live around the base. Norway is going to purchase 52 new F-35 fighter jets, which will have their main base on Ørlandet. So far, 37 have arrived in the country. – I think it is important for the judges and the court to get an impression of the noise picture we have, says Øyvind Næss. He is one of the plaintiffs and one of those most affected. On Tuesday, the court was, among other things, at his home. – It has been said that only 30 per cent of the aircraft wings have started yet, and that there will be 70 per cent more in 2025. That is part of what we have based our case on, says Næss. This week, the court is out in the field to experience the aircraft noise as it is for those who live around the combat aircraft base on Ørlandet. Defense buildings provide additional noise meters. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news Refers to the Neighborhood Act The 230 landowners refer to the Neighborhood Act and claim that the noise has reduced the value of their homes. Paragraph 2 of the Neighborhood Act sets the tolerance limit in neighborly relations. That is, how much a neighbor has to endure from measures that affect their property. The mass action is against the State at Forsvarsbygg. The government attorney conducts the case before the court for the State. They deny that the value of the properties is being lowered by the activity at the base. – We believe that there is no deterioration in value. Rather the opposite. Had the base not been here, then perhaps the value would have been different, says project manager Carl Oscar Pedersen at Kapaset air in Forsvarsbygg. – The important thing is to bring out the changes from the F-16 to the F-35. So says lawyer Svein Aalling at Advokatfirmaet Seland | Rödl & Partner AS. He represents 34 owners of agricultural properties and points out that the transition from one type of aircraft to another constitutes a marked increase in the inconvenience for them. – Louder sound per plane, and eventually also much more traffic, says Aalling. Lawyer Svein Aalling at Advokatfirmaet Seland | Rödl & Partner AS represents those who have agricultural properties in the class action. The majority of the plaintiffs own ordinary detached houses. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news Witness statements next week The court has spent several days this week on inspections. – There is nothing new in our eyes. But it’s always interesting to have it illuminated more broadly. The court also gets an insight into what we are talking about and we also spoke to those who live there, says Pedersen in Forsvarsbygg. Forsvarsbygg also believes that Hoff’s cameras do not constitute an unreasonable disadvantage. – The airport is surrounded by fences and cameras to ensure good security. So it’s normal. And the cameras don’t point out, they point along the fence, I think, says Pedersen. It is flat on Ørlandet. Double fences run around the entire base. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / news He points out that this issue has been clarified and explained previously, including to the municipality. The trial lasts until May 12. Witness interviews will start next week, before there will be proceedings in the last week. – We have witness interviews next week with expert witnesses who will be happy to say something about the value development of properties when disadvantages increase, says Aalling. Candidates for the State include former director of Forsvarsbygg Kampflybase, Olaf Dobloug and deputy commander of the Air Force, Øyvind Gunnerud. The state at Forsvarsbygg and project manager Carl Oscar Pedersen tell news that they reject the claim that the properties on Ørlandet have decreased in value after the establishment of the combat aircraft base. Here is the court on inspection at Hoff’s. Photo: Ingrid Lindgaard Stranden / no
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Explained himself in the court case between the state and landowners on Ørlandet – news Trøndelag
