– We see that both pressure on infrastructure, fjords and nature is starting to become so great that we have to take a breather, says mayor Grunde Wegar Knudsen (Sp), in the coastal town of Kragerø. Cabin construction has long been a hot topic across the country. Does cabin development really create more local jobs, or are the major players in the industry coming, building and disappearing again anyway? The issues are hotly debated both in the skerries and far to the mountains. Several municipalities are stepping on the brakes and opposition is increasing. Put your foot down Fresh examples are the cottage municipalities Vinje and Kragerø in Telemark. There are several major development plans rejected this week. In Vinje municipality, which is the country’s fourth largest cottage municipality, the municipal council decided on Thursday not to approve new cottage plots in Rauland, beyond those that have already been approved. VINJE: Jon Rikard Kleven (Sp), mayor of Vinje. Photo: Nils Fridtjof Skumsvoll / news When the planning work started in 2019, there were proposals for 2,000 new cottage plots in the most popular area around Vierli and Holtardalen. Mayor Jon Rikard Kleven (Sp) is himself a supporter of further development of cottage plots. – This is about how we want to develop Rauland as a destination. But it’s good to be done with a case that has been going on for so many years. – Can there be anything positive about stopping the development? – Yes, the majority thinks so, so it certainly is, says the mayor, who believes the process has been open and inclusive. Proud of local politicians Irja Godal Irja Godal is one of many residents who is critical of cottage construction on Rauland. Photo: Håkon Lie / news Irja Godal is one of the sharpest critics of further development in Rauland, and has, together with several others, been strongly involved in the case. – I’m insanely relieved and happy. I know that many others are too, she says to news. She is proud of the local politicians in her municipality, Vinje. – There were an incredible number of good posts. This applies to both sides of the case, she emphasizes. But she says the cottage uprising is by no means over in the village. The cabin municipalities in Hallingdal are also advocating for slowing down cabin construction. – Recently, this was the topic at two public meetings in Hemsedal and Geilo, says Tor Folgerø, who is a journalist in the newspaper Hallingdølen. – Brave The same development can be seen in Kragerø. A very popular summer destination, with around 3500 cottages and holiday homes. There, a majority of the municipality’s elected representatives decided to put their foot down for a number of development plans earlier this week. When the local politicians were to sift around 280 inputs to roll out the municipal plan’s area part, almost all new cabin fields were rejected. Per-Erik Schulze (MDG). Photo: Nils Fridtjof Skumsvoll / news At the same time, one of the largest cabin fields, with potentially 550 cabins that were already included in the municipal plan from before, was removed. It gives the municipality a good and necessary stop in parts of the cabin construction, says Per-Erik Schulze (MDG). – A complete reversal in current cabin policy in Kragerø. A surprising and courageous decision, the MDG politician thinks. Will focus on those who live there all year round Mayor of Kragerø, Grunde Wegar Knudsen (Sp), believes the municipality has reached a tolerance limit for the number of cabins, not least in the press areas. He believes it is also about respect for those who have acquired a holiday home or cottage in the municipality. KRAGERØ: Grunde Wegar Knudsen (Sp), rapporteur in Kragerø. Photo: Roald Marker / news – If we build down all the qualities you were looking for when you got the cabin, maybe some of the charm of Kragerø is gone. We will also leave our municipality to the next generation, and generations after that. Kragerø is a popular summer town, close to an archipelago with almost 3,500 cottages and holiday homes. Photo: Geir Olsen / Geir Olsen In Kragerø, they will now focus more on those who live there all year round, says the mayor. – We will provide them with good housing areas, to ensure a safe and good sustainable population in the time to come. That is the focus right now. It’s time to breathe a little.
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Several municipalities are putting the brakes on cabin construction – news Vestfold and Telemark – Local news, TV and radio
