No to barracks on Stevneplassen

In 2018, the meeting place was regulated as a park for the residents here in the northern district.

In 2019, a landscape sketch was prepared for the area, as a starting point for what possibilities exist for Stevneplassen. The aim of the zoning plan for the area was to facilitate what could be done over time. Interaction with voluntary organisations, and the population, the municipality and others who could use the area. After the plan was adopted, some funds have been set aside for smaller measures and some are sponsored by housing associations through SBBL. The area has become nice after we removed the fence. A basketball court has been set up, barbecues and there is a lighted pedestrian and cycle path through the area.

A large space has been set aside for a playground. It is regulated, and which we in the housing associations will help to create.

Now MATS comes here when the construction is finished and we think that’s perfectly fine because it’s useful. A new skate hall has also been built after the fire that happened a few years ago and is used a lot. The skate club is a good initiative.

If barracks are set up for that many, the whole area will be closed again. Is this how Skien municipality wants to destroy the living environment for us here in the Falkum/Mæla area?

Løvenskiold himself has said that he has an area large enough to house the entire barrack rig. Then the municipality should go for it and not raze the residential areas in the city in the belief that those who will work on the Google site will save the city’s trade and restaurants.

Skien municipality’s business manager must be quite naive if she thinks it will save the town. You cannot then demolish residential areas throughout the municipality because of this. The barracks can be left standing for many years.

Those who will work there want to have the shortest possible journey to work and not be dependent on transport to work. Who will transport them to work from the city? They are mostly commuters and used to living in barracks. They have everything they need there. They do not need to travel to the city, because on the weekends when they have time off, most people go home. When they have worked a long day, I don’t think the city is tempting at all.

They live, work and eat in the barrack town because it is most convenient. Then give Løvenskiold the opportunity to build the barracks on his territory.

Making a ban on building barracks outside the city center or the city belt so that they can use the city as best as possible is just silly. Now the politicians must start thinking about us who live in this area. Should we be bogged down with even more traffic? There is more than enough traffic here at Falkum.

Here they talk about reducing car traffic and making Skien greener. How will more driving be done for them to get to work? Up at Gromstul, they can walk or cycle to work.

When it comes to the Stevneplassen and the size of the barrack rig that will house 150 men without going beyond what the Stevneplassen is used for, it is wishful thinking.

The barrack rigs must also have sewerage, water, electricity and telephone. Are they going to dig up entire large parts of Stevneplassen and around the neighborhood to make it happen? Does Skien municipality have any plans for how they are going to get the convention square back and in order again after several years of barracks and littering? When there is a circus, funfair or other events, there will be noise. What will happen to the peace they are supposed to have?

No, Skien municipality, we who live in the Falkum and Mæla area are completely against such a barracks rig. Those who live closest to Stevneplassen will have it right up on their verandas.

Will there be a guard? Why? Are they afraid that they will have to protect the residential areas because there will be workers moving in and out at times and they don’t have the overview?

Dear Skien municipality: Use common sense and let Løvenskiold build barrack rigs at Gromstul to house everyone who will work there. That’s the most sensible thing to do. Don’t destroy people’s surroundings.

Arne R. Nicolaisen, Synnøve Løberg, Tormod Kallaak, Jan Andre Heskja, Randi Gunleikskås, Per Våtvik, Tarjei Skoftedalen Fiskum, Jan Ivar Olsen, Claus Waagø, Ole Vidar Drageset, Helge Carlsson, Håvard Wigmostad, Hermod Nilssen and Kristina Teota Celey

The working committee for the housing associations in Falkum/Mæla