Tórshavn environment department opposes zoning change

The environmental department of Tórshavn Municipality has advised against changing the special zoning plan for the area north of the Kringvarpið broadcaster and the Nordic House, KVF reports.

The department says the municipality should examine whether it should acquire the area at market price to protect its green and recreational values.

If the zoning plan is changed as approved by the city council, the department has issued eight recommendations. These include providing a clearer and better-founded description of the development plan, as well as describing and assessing its impact on the local environment.

The department concludes that the proposed new zoning plan would allow significantly more development than the current plan without corresponding clear regulation of building density, environmental impact, traffic, parking and nature conservation.

The area is already under considerable development pressure and lies between forest-protected areas and open land. The department says the zoning plan should be based more clearly on an overall strategy for the landscape, green connections and sustainable land use.

Tórshavn Municipality initially received five submissions during the consultation on the proposed change. The consultation deadline was extended and a public meeting was held, after which four further submissions were received.

The proposal covers three-storey residential buildings. The plan is to build 84 apartments in a neighbourhood to be called Ternutún. Under the current zoning plan, the area may be subdivided for 18 detached houses.