Hlučín city councilors have again given the green light for the construction of a hypermarket

Hlučín (Opavsko) - The representatives of Hlučín in the Opava region today once again approved the construction of a hypermarket on the territory of the city. They again approved the motion to amend the land use plan, under which the plots at the end of the city can be used for business activities, including the construction of a store. The council made this decision for the second time. The first decision was canceled by the regional office due to a number of errors. According to available information, Kaufland will be in the city, which already has five supermarkets.
    The intention to build a large hypermarket, along with a shopping gallery, was expressed by the company Queen Invest. The Hlučín representatives discussed the intention this January. They also approved a resolution that gave the green light to amending the land use plan. However, the regional office annulled the decision.
    "The reason for the cancellation of this amendment is a procedural error, as the land use plan was not discussed with all concerned authorities, the Ministry of Transport was not notified, the amendment was not assessed according to the environmental impact assessment law, and further, an evaluation of the impact of this change on the sustainable development of the territory was not conducted," said the mayor of Hlučín, Bernard Ostárek, today.
    Part of the missing documentation has already been supplemented by officials. Now only the justification for the necessity of the land use plan amendment is missing, which the region deemed insufficient. Therefore, the representatives approved a resolution where they justified the amendment by the creation of new jobs. However, this does not sit well with local entrepreneurs and some residents. They are concerned that a large store will eliminate small businesses. "It is not about the creation of new jobs. It will only be a transfer of employees. From closed stores to Kaufland," said entrepreneur Řehoř Peschek.
    At the beginning of the year, two petitions circulated in Hlučín. One in support of the project, the other against it. Both were signed by 1,200 people. The petition against the construction was organized by Hana Bartáková. She is primarily concerned about the increase in noise in the city, which already exceeds permitted limits in some places. "It is very strange. Everything was done secretly. The intention was not known for a long time," she told ČTK earlier.
    Even Mayor Ostárek, who voted against the amendment today, is not satisfied with the situation's development. He points out, for instance, the unsuitability of the chosen location and the inappropriate intervention in the architecture of the city. "I am also concerned that traffic in the city will worsen. Moreover, it is questionable whether Hlučín can sustain such a commercial center. There are six other large markets within a ten-kilometer radius," he said.