News, Politics | Posten’s giant plans get the go-ahead: – Disappointed with the State Administrator

That’s what the Statsforvalteren writes, who after a few extra rounds of appeals, cancellations, city council proceedings and more appeals comes down to Posten’s plans being approved – period.

The complainants have all along been the Forum for nature and outdoor life, which believes that major natural values ​​in the area are being lost as a result of the development at Kokstad.

– We are disappointed by the decision from the State Administrator. We cannot see that any attempt has been made to adapt the plans to the natural values ​​in the planning area; neither for red-listed species nor large marsh areas – which we believe is a serious deficiency in the case, says Gunvar Mikkelsen.

Had to move because of the city’s growth

But the development also has its reason. Posten’s land-intensive operations had to move away from Mindemyren and Dokken in central Bergen, because these areas will be used to create new urban areas with several thousand homes and workplaces.

– Keeping the Post in Bergen means a lot for the city’s competitiveness, and it will save the environment for driving compared to the alternative locations, says planner at Opus, Nancy Jøssang.

Because as time went on, and the matter became more uncertain, Posten considered moving to Endelausmarka in Bjørnafjorden. It is far more decentralized compared to the packages and letters that Posten has to deliver.

The upcoming densification at Mindemyren, and possibly at Dokken, means that the city can grow centrally. Posten’s relocation means that an almost 400-acre green area that is currently undeveloped, with coastal pine forest and marshes, will be able to be demolished.

It is the land that Posten will sell to partially finance its own development that has the greatest natural values.

Bergen municipality’s experts and politicians were honest that it is “difficult in light of an ongoing climate and nature crisis to recommend a decision that will demolish a larger area that is currently green.”

With the threat that many jobs could be moved out of the municipality hanging over them, Ap, Venstre and KrF turned around and secured a solid majority for Posten’s plan.

– Demanding

MDG, Rødt and Sp demanded that they plan underground parking to reduce encroachments.

The reason why the State Administrator asked the municipality to process the plan again was that the natural diversity had not been mapped well enough. Now it has been done in a satisfactory way.

Thus, the interests that are in conflict with each other – natural values ​​versus urban development – are also sufficiently balanced.

Ingrid Nergaard Fjelstad in Venstre was a city councilor when the case went through the political system in Bergen.

– It is demanding to develop the city, and yes, it affects nature and outdoor life. But this move provides such a great societal benefit for the city as a whole that it outweighs the fact that something has to be built down.

Høyre’s Chris Jørgen Knudsen Rødland currently chairs the committee for the environment and urban development. He is satisfied with the outcome.

– I am very happy that reason has prevailed. A broad political majority wanted this move. It makes it possible to develop Dokken, and we keep important jobs in Bergen.