Ammunition factory neighbours fear million-kroner losses

Residents living closest to a planned ammunition factory in Elling, North Jutland, may struggle to sell their homes, with one local estate agent estimating that asking prices could need to fall by at least 1.2 million kroner, DR reports.

Leif Boie Thomsen, who lives in a green safety zone around the factory, says local estate agents have told him his home could be difficult to sell. The zone’s restrictions include a ban on building facilities such as kindergartens.

“One estate agent said she did not think it would be possible to sell the house,” Thomsen said. “If it were put up for sale, they would start at least 1.2 million kroner below the normal asking price.” He said that would be more than half the property’s assessed value.

Thomsen and other nearby residents say they feel unsafe and angry. They fear the factory could be sabotaged and blown up, and say they have not received clear answers about their safety or whether they could receive compensation from the state or have their homes bought through compulsory acquisition.

Gitte Ravn, an estate agent with EDC in Frederikshavn, said selling homes in Elling has already been difficult for some time. She said the current threat picture and the mood surrounding the factory could make buyers look elsewhere.

Defence Minister Jeppe Bruus said he understands the neighbours’ concerns. In a response to DR, he said he would consider compensation if residents experienced greater or long-term nuisance because of the factory.

Thomsen questioned what the minister meant by “long-term nuisance”, asking whether being told that a home may be unsellable would qualify. Opposition politician Thomas Danielsen of Venstre has called for neighbours to be given the option of selling their homes to the state.