In the Highlands, 133 municipalities still do not have a land use plan

Jihlava - Of the 704 settlements in the Vysočina region, 133 municipalities still do not have a zoning plan. According to experts' estimates, it is realistic that municipal offices could start working on it within two years. Zoning documentation is important for the further development of settlements and also for drawing subsidies - an approved zoning plan is one of the conditions for most grant programs, said regional councilor Zdeněk Ryšavý today to ČTK. 571 self-governments in Vysočina already have this documentation approved or are preparing it.
    The preparation of zoning plans is subsidized by the Vysočina region, which will contribute over 7.7 million crowns for this purpose this year. 73 municipalities have a chance for the subsidy, but the final decision belongs to the regional council. Ryšavý pointed out that the region mainly supports small municipalities that would otherwise not be able to afford the relatively expensive documentation.
    Many small municipalities in Vysočina were forced to start working on zoning documentation due to a new building law that came into effect two years ago. In municipalities without a zoning plan, construction could not begin. Some mayors complained at that time that the new law blocked development in their municipalities for a long time because preparing a zoning plan takes at least two years.
    The amendment to the law last year brought some relief. Municipalities that had at least an urban study could have it registered with the authorized office. They could then receive permits for construction but only within their built-up area, noted Lenka Ryšavá from the regional planning department. However, every municipality that wants to develop sustainably will still need a zoning plan in the future.