Reykjavík revokes land allocations to Muslim and Orthodox groups

Reykjavík City Council has revoked land allocations to the Association of Muslims in Iceland and the Russian Orthodox Church, neither of which has built on its plot, Morgunblaðið reports.

The Muslim association received a plot at Suðurlandsbraut 76 in 2013. The Russian Orthodox Church was allocated plots at Bræðraborgarstígur 2 and Bakkastígur 8 in 2008.

Mayor Hildur Björnsdóttir told Morgunblaðið the decisions were part of a wider review of the city’s land allocations, intended to improve transparency and ensure equal treatment. The city has reviewed plots allocated over recent years and decades where construction has not begun, she said, adding that Reykjavík needs well-located land for both housing and businesses.

Several other allocations have been revoked at recent council meetings, and Björnsdóttir expects more to follow. Both groups have been given additional time to submit objections, as the city seeks to follow the proper legal process, she said.

The city plans to put the plots up for sale at market prices. Both groups received their allocations free of charge. The proposal to revoke them passed without opposition.