New law would replace planning rules dating back to 1954

KVF reports that a draft law on land management has been sent out for consultation, which will run until November 19. It would replace several existing laws, including legislation on urban planning and building regulations, nature conservation and forest protection.

Some provisions of the law on national roads would also be transferred to the new legislation. Municipalities would remain the main authorities for ordinary land-use administration, while national authorities could draw up plans for land needed for national purposes, including roads, ports, energy and utility networks, hospitals and airports.

The proposal would establish a digital land register and classify all land as non-sensitive, sensitive or particularly sensitive. In sensitive and particularly sensitive areas, permits for specific land interventions, construction or changes in land use could not be issued until the required preliminary investigation or impact assessment had been completed.

The proposal would abolish the Forest Protection Committee, nature conservation committees, including the Supreme Nature Conservation Committee, and the Urban Planning Committee. The draft acknowledges financial consequences for the state and municipalities, but says the committees being abolished cost a net 840,000 kroner last year.

The draft is 57 pages long, including explanatory notes. The law on urban planning and building regulations dates from 1954. The Ministry of Health and Energy has also prepared a booklet outlining the new system and its main changes.