If all goes according to plan, the brand new subway will take 12 minutes from Majorstua to Fornebu when it is completed in 2029. But before the summer of last year, the Fornebubanen was close to being scrapped. After yet another cost rift, the politicians considered putting their foot down. The price tag was then up to NOK 26.4 billion. After months of political drama, it was decided to continue building. On Monday, the trial started, which could result in another sharp price increase. If landowner Fornebu Sentrum wins with its demands, the track could be between NOK 1 and 1.5 billion more expensive. An agreed court case Initially, Viken County Council was supposed to meet nine landowners in Ringerike, Asker and Bærum District Court. The parties agreed early on to disagree on price. The landowners agreed to give up land, permanently or temporarily, so as not to delay the track. At the same time, they agreed to meet in court to decide the compensation. They believe this has caused them, in part, large losses. The court should decide whether they are entitled to compensation. Viken is the counterparty because the county council owns the part of the track located in Bærum. Asking for up to NOK 1.5 billion In the days before the trial, eight out of nine landowners have withdrawn from the case. But the company that believes it has suffered by far the biggest loss is still involved. FORNEBU SØR: This is how Selvaag Bolig presents the Fornebu Sør project on top of what is the construction pit at Fornebu. Illustration: Selvaag Bolig Fornebu Sentrum believes it is between NOK 1 and 1.5 billion. Behind is Selvaag Bolig. They have bought the area around what will be the terminus of the Fornebubanen, what was called Koksa when there was an airport there. Large hole in the ground to become 2,000 homes Here they will build up to 2,000 homes and businesses. But it is not possible to build anything for a long time yet. The entire area is a large crater. BUILDING PIT: Here is the terminus of the Fornebubanen and a staging area for subway cars. Photo: Erlend Dalhaug Daae / news Selvaag can only start building when a lid is placed over the giant construction pit. And then the company believes it has lost a lot of money. – It is about loss of rental income and foundation costs as the line’s terminus will be under the project, writes project director Lars Lund Mathisen in an e-mail to news. He writes that it is quite common for this type of case to be dealt with in the discretionary court. FORNEBU SØR: Selvaag wants compensation for losses they believe they have suffered as a result of the Fornebubanen. Illustration: Selvaag Bolig Viken rejects compensation Viken rejects claims for compensation. They point out that the landowners make good money at Fornebu. 11,500 homes and 30,000 jobs will be built at the old airport. The very fact that there will be a track means that Bærum municipality allows such a large development. – Without the Fornebubanen, Fornebu Sentrum AS would not have been able to realize the extensive development that KDP3 allows for, writes Viken’s lawyer Steinar Mageli in his closing submission, which has been sent to the court in advance. KDP3 is the name of the plan that allows for a large development at Fornebu. It was adopted by Bærum municipality in 2019. – It is the added value the track initiative creates, for which Selvaag is demanding compensation, Mageli said in his introductory speech on Monday. May affect other projects The case was supposed to go to court last year, but was postponed due to the chaos around the pitch in early summer. The county council in Viken then wrote that if the requirements make the Fornebubanen more expensive, it must be covered by Oslo Package 3. This could go beyond other transport measures in the Oslo area. Political leadership in Viken will not comment on an ongoing case in the courts.
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Land owner demands billions in compensation from Fornebubanen – news Oslo og Viken – Local news, TV and radio
