In Bærum municipality outside Oslo, billionaire Johan H. Andresen (60), among others, aims to replace a massive golf course with a primary school, multi-purpose hall, kindergarten and housing.
Salamanderfunn
Bærum municipality real estate, Selvaag Bolig ASA and Andresen-controlled Ferd Eiendom AS are behind the green investment. The giant plans have admittedly not fallen into good soil at Ballerud Golf Club – which after almost 30 years is in danger of laying down its clubs for good.
According to Budstikka the development will take about 40 percent of today’s golf facilities.
– This will mean that the golf course must be closed down, says board member Peter R. Wigglesworth in Ballerud golf club to Børsen.
Now the case has taken a very unusual turn. In a letter to the State Administrator in Viken and Oslo, dated 9 September, the golf club says that they have made a discovery on Ballerud golf course – which can completely overturn the development plans.
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It was Estate News who first mentioned the case.
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«Great newts have recently been discovered at Ballerud Golf Course. We believe that this species is protected and its habitat appears to be in the construction zone for the school and kindergarten. “, it is stated in the letter from the club – addressed to both the State Administrator and the Directorate for Nature Management.
The discovery will be investigated
The salamander is documented in a photo taken on September 9 this year. According to Wigglesworth, an observation of the salamander was also made in May.
– It’s sensational timing, right? Have you received reactions to this?
– No, I have not received any reactions.
SALAMANDER: The salamander was photographed in September, and observations have also been made this spring. Photo: Private
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– Do you expect the plans to change as a result of this discovery?
– This with biological diversity is a priority in planning and construction. It is not good to say what will happen, but it will be strange if they ignore this finding. That would certainly be reprehensible, Wigglesworth replies.
The head of regulation in Bærum municipality, Kjell Seberg, says that an extra survey will now be carried out with a view to the salamander find.
– We have to answer this, says Seberg.
Therefore, professionals will now investigate the case further.
– It can have an impact on the plan design, Seberg admits.
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Eagerly waiting
In a consultation with the local politicians from August, the club argued that they are against a possible closure of the golf course “without there being real alternative replacement areas”.
In light of recent developments, the club is also requesting an investigation.
“We therefore ask the State Administrator to intervene and raise an objection to the plan proposal, unless the municipality stays in the process until Salamander conservation has been investigated.”, the club continues.
I FARE: 40 percent of Ballerud Golf Course may disappear in the development. Photo: Ballerud Golf Club
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The consultation round ended on 12 September. Now Wigglesworth is eagerly awaiting what he sees as a verdict on the golf club’s future.
– This is not a club that is too particularly interested from a separate community, it is for everyone, with an affordable membership price.
The club will have around 1800 members, where the club states that around 400 of them are junior members – ie under 20 years.
– Here are national policy guidelines for children and young people that have been overlooked in the consultation round. In that case, it is a procedural error, Wigglesworth believes.
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Case promoted again
Head of Regulation Seberg says that the zoning plan for the area has been considered for the first time and is out for consultation.
However, this does not apply to the residential part of the project.
– The politicians wanted somewhat less density and somewhat more elements of single-family housing. The case will be presented again for political consideration, with a proposal for a scaled-down residential part, in line with the decisions made by the politicians, says Seberg.
The golf club also has the support of politicians.
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– An important element from the politicians is that there is golf activity in this area today, and leading politicians want the activity to be maintained even after school, kindergarten and housing have been put in place, says Seberg.
– This is something we will account for in the case when it is again promoted to political consideration during the autumn.
– And then there may be changes that make the golf club lose less of the area?
– It can happen. We need to study options for how to maintain golf activity. We must look at the whole in this, and look at what gives the best solution overall.
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