Residents question construction permits after fatalities at Flemløse Biogas in Denmark

Residents are questioning whether anyone can initiate construction without the necessary permits, following a tragic incident at Flemløse Biogas that resulted in three fatalities and several injuries. Henrik Tegtmeier, a local resident living near the biogas facility, expressed his confusion over Assens Municipality allowing the construction of a silo without a formal building permit for over six months.

Tegtmeier has reported his concerns to the police, stating that it seems unreasonable for the municipality to knowingly permit construction without proper authorization. He believes authorities should be taking action to enforce the law.

Documentation reveals that the municipality was informed of the start of the silo construction in March 2024 during a meeting with the company. Officials indicated that while the business claimed no permit was necessary, the municipality contradicted this, emphasizing the requirement for a building permit. The company was granted a deadline to apply for this permit, which they did only in June, with the official approval coming in October, months after construction had begun.

In light of the situation, Martin Albertsen from the municipality acknowledged that the process could appear unclear. While they did not initially enforce a stop to construction, they assessed that the project could eventually be permitted if an application was made. He insists that residents cannot freely build without permits and stressed the importance of following regulatory procedures.

Tegtmeier hopes that police will investigate the matter thoroughly, emphasizing that a lack of permit enforcement could undermine legal integrity. Local police confirmed receipt of his complaint and stated they would address it promptly. The biogas firm has not made any statements regarding the situation.