For 100 years, the state has protected Norwegian buildings. From old lordly and civil servants’ farms, to more modern cultural monuments from our own time. But the association Fredet is concerned because the financial resources the Swedish National Antiquarian receives from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment are not large enough. – In reality, there has been less money for maintenance and restoration of the old buildings in recent years. It’s a shame, because it’s a joy and an honor to own such a building that Norway believes is worth taking care of for posterity, says Hans Roger Selnes, leader of the association Fredet. Fogedgården in Namsos was built after the town fire in 1897, and was the only wooden house in the center that was saved when German planes bombed Namsos in 1940. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news 3,000 preserved buildings Today around 3,000 privately owned buildings are preserved in Norway, and Riksantikvar Hanna Geiran praises everyone who owns these around the country. But she admits that the financial support they receive has not become any bigger in recent years. – It is NOK 150 million, which we get through the state budget. It has been there for the past few years, while at the same time we have had a significant rise in wages and prices, she tells news. Riksantikvar Hanna Geiran praises all private individuals who take care of protected buildings in Norway. Photo: Randi Nørstebø / news Little to be gained from the government But there is no hope for more financial support from the Ministry of Climate and the Environment. – With the tight budget frameworks the government has worked within in recent years, no room has been found to strengthen this item. But we continuously work to ensure good framework conditions for owners of cultural heritage. – Private owners of cultural monuments and cultural environments make a great effort to preserve an important part of the country’s cultural heritage, writes State Secretary Kjersti Bjørnstad in the Ministry of Climate and the Environment in an email to news. Sjur Agdestein and his family have spent 15 years and a lot of money restoring Hegge farm in Steinkjer. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news Because it costs much more to maintain a listed building than a more ordinary building. All work must be carried out in dialogue with the conservation authorities, and must be carried out in line with the time the building is from. – Hegge farm is from the 1750s, and then the choice of materials and craftsmanship must take place in a completely different way than if you were to refurbish a modern house. The work must be properly antiquarian, says the owner of the farm at Steinkjer, Sjur Agdestein. 15 years of renovation For 15 years, he and his family have rebuilt the old bailiff’s and civil servant’s farm on the hill above the center of Steinkjer. A painstaking and expensive job. – We get about 25 per cent of the expenses covered through government grants, so that’s something. It’s great to live here, but we would like to see more support, says Agdestein. Hegge farm was built in the 1750s, and was already protected in 1923. Photo: Espen Sandmo / news When the money is lacking, many of the listed buildings fall into disrepair. Many end up in such a bad condition that they have to be demolished. It’s a shame, say those who are happy in their old houses. – I have owned Fogedgården in Namsos for over 20 years. The only wooden house in the center that was saved when the Germans bombed the city on 20 April 1940. So it is a historic building, which many people in the city appreciate, says Hans Roger Selnes. – But the joy of owning a house like this disappears a little in the problems and challenges that are connected to them being protected, admits the leader of the association Fredet.
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Freda building lacks money for maintenance – news Trøndelag – Local news, TV and radio
