A 125 square meter quay, at Teistholmen in Fitjar municipality in Vestland, has caused the local mayor to turn on all the plugs. In June, the local politicians decided that the quay should receive a dispensation, despite the fact that it was built illegally many years ago. The quay ensures that it is possible to get ashore to the cabin and the boathouse built on the islet. There are many such buildings along the entire Norwegian coast, and many of them were erected far back in time. – We have visited, listened to the landowners’ arguments, and come to a decision after a thorough assessment, says mayor Harald Rydland (KrF) in the municipality, which together has over 300 islands and islets. The quay facility at Teistholmen was built illegally in its time. But now the politicians want to give a dispensation. Photo: Olav Røli / news Saka has previously been mentioned by both Sunnhordland and Stord24. – Don’t trust us But the State Administrator in Vestland sees it differently. They believe that the quay is simply too large, and that there is no room to grant a dispensation under the Planning and Building Act. They have now complained about the decision, and are asking the municipality to reassess the case. – I think the State Administrator is treading on our bed here, says Rydland. He believes that the state’s extended arm must have confidence that local politicians are the best at making local decisions. – This is about role understanding, believes Rydland, who adds that this case joins a number of cases in the municipality where the State Administrator interferes. Teistholmen in Fitjar municipality is difficult to land on, except where there is a quay today. Photo: Olav Røli / news The mayor believes that the quay must be so large, and that access is now ensured in a completely different way than with a smaller quay. – If the quay were smaller, you would have to go ashore in a pile of stones, he says. He rejects that the municipality takes the beach zone policy lightly, and points out that the municipality has reacted against many measures in the beach zone. The Beach Zone Act According to § 1-8 of the Planning and Building Act, there is a ban on building within the 100-metre belt in the beach zone. This is a general prohibition that also includes sharing properties. The purpose of the provision is to take particular account of the natural and cultural environment, outdoor life, landscape and other public interests. The building ban is not absolute. Municipalities can make plans or grant exemptions. The State Administrator: – Must ensure legal certainty Section leader Egil Hauge at the State Administrator in Vestland wrote in an e-mail to news that they appreciated that the municipality had made a thorough assessment of the quay at Teistholmen. “The state administrator is required to consider appealing against dispensation decisions if important landscape, nature and outdoor life interests are set aside. We also have a responsibility to ensure that the rules that apply to spatial planning are complied with in the municipalities, among other things to ensure legal certainty for the general public,” it says. If the municipality does not reverse the decision, the case must be decided by the State Administrator in another county. – I have had very bad experiences with this. Then the case is settled from an office, in one city or another. Without being on a visual inspection or having the local conditions examined, says mayor Harald Rydland. The quay at Teistholmen is built in conjunction with a boathouse and a cabin. Photo: Olav Røli / news Wants softer regulations The Fitjar case joins a series of similar cases across the country. Bergens Tidende recently wrote that the State Administrator has complained about several of the decisions that Bergen municipality has made regarding quays and wharves. Earlier this spring, Local Government and District Minister Sigbjørn Gjelsvik (Sp) told Klassekampen that the rules for the beach zone had to be softened. This is in municipalities that end up in zones where there is less pressure (zone 3). Fitjar also ends up here. Gjelsvik tells news that he does not wish to comment on this specific case from Fitjar, as it is being processed. – But I can repeat what I have said before, namely that the government thinks there should be a greater degree of differentiation, and that there should be greater local room for action for both commercial and housing development in the beach zone, says Gjelsvik. He adds, however, that all cases must be assessed on their own merits, and that he has confidence that the State Administrator will follow the political guidelines that have been given. Next week, the minister is going to Vestland, where he will, among other things, discuss beach zone policy with local mayors. He will also have a meeting with the State Administrator. Mayor Harald Rydland manages a municipality with a lot of beach area. Now he is tired of the State Administrator meddling in local affairs. Photo: Olav Røli / news
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Mayor fed up with interference in local beach zone policy – news Vestland
