Praha 4 will support the people of Braník in their fight against the construction of high-rise buildings

Prague - The Prague 4 municipality disagrees with the construction of residential buildings up to eight stories high in Braník. The leadership of the city district has thus joined the protest of local residents. They are unhappy that the city hall wants to approve a modification of the zoning plan, which would allow for buildings up to three stories taller than those originally anticipated by the construction company Skanska, which wants to build here. The people of Braník have already filed a lawsuit against the city regarding the change. ČTK was informed today by the mayor of Prague 4, Pavel Caldr (independent).
    The modification of the zoning plan was approved by the city hall in March 2011. This increased the so-called coefficient of land use, which means that up to eight-story buildings can be built here. "This happened at a time when I was neither the mayor nor a council member and could not influence it in any way. We currently support the residents of Braník," said Caldr, adding that the petition against the construction would be discussed by the representatives of Prague 4 on Wednesday.
    The municipality will not file a separate lawsuit, nor will it join the one filed against the city by the people of Braník. According to Caldr, the city district would not have a chance of winning the case in court. "The court would say that we approved the change once and now we are going against our own decision. That is why we support returning to the original coefficient of land use," the mayor stated.
    Local residents are concerned that what they believe to be an oversized building will be constructed on the site. Therefore, they want to file a lawsuit to have the decision revoked and to return the original coefficient in the zoning plan, allowing constructions of a maximum of four to five stories. Such a coefficient applies to other parcels in the surrounding area. Residents of Prague 4 also claim that the city decided to increase the coefficient without the knowledge of the residents or the representatives of the capital city.
    The Prague leadership has already defended itself several times, stating that the changes were approved in the past and Prague cannot do anything other than confirm them. It is concerned that Skanska could then sue it for damages incurred.