The Kaplický library also encroaches on other land than the approved ones

Prague - The proposed building of the National Library (NK) encroaches on Letná and on lands whose sale the city council did not approve for these purposes. Building on them would also be contrary to the valid zoning plan, said Pavel Klega (ODS), the mayor's deputy, to CTK today.
The councilors approved the sale of about 12,000 square meters of land at the site of the current tram loop last year, where construction is possible. The National Library was to pay about 2,640 crowns per square meter for them, which is approximately half of the market value. In total, the city was to receive about 31.5 million crowns for them. The city leadership understood this as a contribution from the metropolis to the project.
The resolution included two technical conditions, Klega reminded. The construction of the new National Library building should not in any way limit the construction of the internal car circuit under Letná, including increasing costs. NK was also to negotiate with the Prague Public Transit Company regarding the tram loop. If needed, the library would have to resolve it at its own expense, the deputy stated.
The jury then selected the design of the building by Jan Kaplický in the international competition. The object "stretched" onto neighboring parcels that were not part of the approved sale.
"Because the issue of constructing a new National Library building has become politicized, I consider it very complicated to discuss further property law actions in the city bodies, such as the sale of additional land. Changing the zoning plan would also be problematic,” Klega noted. The design does not respect ownership relations and, moreover, encroaches on an area designated as a park in the zoning plan.
Most councilors from ODS oppose the construction of the library according to Kaplický's design in Letná. Because the Civic Democrats have a large majority in the council, it is likely that they would not approve anything in favor of the library. The city, according to Mayor Pavel Bém (ODS), has been looking for another plot for the library for several months. However, architect Kaplický designed the building specifically for Letná and did not rule out that Prague might never have it.
Bém was a member of the commission that assessed architectural proposals. However, the director of the municipal heritage conservation department, Jan Kněžínek, sat in his place in the council. He voted for Kaplický's proposal.