Tórshavn questions growing number of special zoning plans

Tórshavn’s municipal administration is questioning whether it is right to create so many special zoning plans, Kringvarp Føroya reports.

The issue arose as the municipality plans to create a special zoning plan for the area between Grasagarður and Finsen. The plan is linked to a proposal to build apartments in the old Restorff brewery.

The municipality’s Building Affairs Department warned that each additional special zoning plan, with its own construction rules, makes the legal situation more complicated for residents, businesses and public authorities to administer.

The department also said that more specific rules make construction more expensive. The Environmental Department has advised against changing the special zoning plan for the land north of the Kringvarp and the Nordic House.

So far this year, Tórshavn Municipality has announced 22 proposed changes to zoning plans. Ten of them concern special zoning plans.

After the municipal council approves a proposal to amend a zoning plan or create a special zoning plan, it is put out for public consultation for six weeks. Once the consultation has ended and the municipality has considered the proposed changes, it sends the proposal to the national government, which reviews the case and notifies the municipality of its decision.