Oslo S, Planning and Building Agency

On 29 April, Jon-Erik Lunøe, managing director of Bane Nor Eiendom, wrote a debate article in Avisa Oslo with the headline “Oslo’s most important project no one is allowed to have an opinion on. Why?”

Let it be clear: We take participation and involvement seriously in the processing of the plans for the Oslo S area and the rest of the city.

But based on his reasoning, anyone should be able to post a planning proposal for consultation on anything, otherwise it goes beyond participation. The Planning and Building Act does not provide for that. If the municipality believes that a planning proposal should not be brought forward, for example because it conflicts with overall plans, then the municipality can refuse to put something out for consultation.

The purpose of this is, among other things, not to use unnecessary resources on planning that is unlikely to come to fruition. In Oslo, this authority is delegated to the Planning and Building Agency.

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We believe that regulation of such a high-rise building is wrong

In order to contribute to predictability and good clarification of expectations, together with the Byantikvaren, we informed about this a year ago, when we believed that regulation of such a high-rise building is wrong. The high-rise building will have too many negative consequences for the conservation-worthy area around Østbanehallen and Jernbanetorget and leave too much of a mark on the cityscape.

The view from the Castle to Ekebergåsen, via Egertorget and further down through Karl Johans gate is not well looked after, and it will dominate the cityscape and perception of Oslo from too many places in the city. Oslo’s urban landscape and the identity of the center of Oslo will change and be significantly weakened.

In Oslo, it is the case that if we refuse to put something out for consultation, Bane Nor can possibly demand that the decision be considered by Oslo City Council, which will then decide on the refusal.

It is important to emphasize that the recently adopted high-rise strategy for Oslo does not define that there should be high-rise buildings around Oslo S. However, that this is one of several areas where the city council wants high-rise buildings to be considered but with clear qualities for urban development in the area.

Read more comments, debate posts and Oslo stories on Avisa Oslo’s debate page Oslodebatten

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