Nature group challenges 15 exemptions for Ikast golf club

The Danish Society for Nature Conservation has formally challenged exemptions granted to Ikast Golf Club for 15 breaches of a local plan, DR reports.

The organisation says the approved facilities and changes conflict with the principles of the local plan, meaning the municipality should not have granted the exemptions. It has lodged a complaint against the municipality with the Planning Appeals Board.

Local chair Maria Mosegaard Mortensen said she fears the decision could set a precedent for other municipalities. “It must not set a precedent that you can build first and ask for permission afterwards,” she said.

The 15 cases concern properties where most of the facilities or changes have already been built or carried out. Mortensen said this was an aggravating factor, arguing that Jens Poulsen had not simply overlooked the need to apply for permission but had acted in bad faith.

In one example, the association says Poulsen was warned that an application for a road project would be refused. It says he withdrew the application, built the road without permission and later applied for and received an exemption. Poulsen disagrees with that account.