Golf course dispute drives councillor from Social Democrats

A political dispute over exemptions for a golf course in Ikast-Brande has led councillor Søs Philipsen to leave the Social Democrats’ council group, DR reports.

Philipsen was the only Social Democrat to support granting wealthy golf course owner Jens Poulsen and Ikast Golf Club exemptions related to alleged breaches of the Nature Protection Act, the Planning Act and the local plan at a council meeting on September 7.

Philipsen said she stood by her decision but objected to not being given the opportunity to present her case to the local party board. She said she was contacted the day after the vote and told that her position had been criticised.

“I was never invited to present my side of the case to the local party board. Those are not the conditions under which I want to work as a politician. I was elected to stand firm and express my opinion,” Philipsen said.

Kasper Pauli Pedersen, the Social Democrats’ group leader on Ikast-Brande municipal council, said he regretted that the situation had ended with Philipsen leaving the group.

“I am sorry that the situation has ended this way. I have appreciated Søs’s positive contribution to the council group and the work she has done on the committees where she represented the Social Democrats,” he said.

Philipsen will remain on the municipal council as an independent. The Social Democrats’ representation will consequently fall from four councillors to three.

The golf course is intended to become one of Denmark’s best, and Poulsen has invested millions in the area.