Hradec Králové rejected the intention to build a shopping center planned by J&T

Representatives of Hradec Králové today rejected the project of the Nová Zelená shopping center as part of the EIA process. According to them, the plan will place an excessive load on the Kukleny, Svobodné Dvory and Plačice districts and expose their inhabitants to noise, air pollution and vibrations. The Nová Zelená shopping park in the fields on the western edge of the city is being prepared by the development company J&T Real Estate CZ and the landowner.

J&T Real Estate CZ said that it was not surprised by the resolution of the deputies. "Despite the resolution of the council, we insist that we proceed in accordance with the valid zoning plan, measures of a general nature, regulations and decrees," said Martin Kodeš, vice-chairman of the CZ board of directors. According to him, in the EIA documentation, the company dealt with all the comments from the investigation procedure, including the issue of groundwater infiltration and the solution of the traffic situation. "The correctness of our solution was also confirmed by a detailed opponent's report, which the city had prepared by an independent opponent appointed by him," he added.

The deputies agreed that the town hall would send the regional authority a statement with a negative opinion on the plan to document the environmental impact (EIA) of the building. City Hall will also point out the alleged discrepancies in the EIA documentation and will request their correction. The city must send the statement by May 29.

The deputies also ordered the mayor, Alexander Hrabálek (ODS), and the municipal officials to insist on building a new road to the shopping center during future contractual negotiations with the investor. The city will apply the requirement of a new road in the EIA process as well as in the subsequent zoning and construction proceedings. The mayor is also to negotiate with the investor on possible modifications to the project.

According to the Pirates, the construction of the center without the completion of the Nová Zelená bypass road is a gamble. "It is not possible to drive thousands of other cars a day onto Pražská třída due to an unnecessary shopping center," said representative Kamil Kubica (Pirates). "It is an anachronism to build a shopping center in such a form and shape," said Councilor Adam Záruba (Change for Hradec). According to him, the city should negotiate a redesign of the project with the investor, and areas for flats could also be created in the locality. On the contrary, according to councilor Oldřich Vlasák (ODS), the city should use the willingness of the investor to contribute 35 million crowns to the road to the center and to the civic amenities of Kuklen. According to him, the construction of the city's road will make it possible to develop the area for housing construction as well. He spoke for negotiations with the investor.

According to the zoning plan, Radiála Nová Zelená is a public benefit building, its investor is the city. "We are ready to build more than a third of the radials and then transfer it to the city free of charge. We are also willing to prepare documentation for zoning decisions for the entire radial and traffic modifications in Pálenecká Street at our expense," he said.

The extraordinary meeting of the representatives was initiated by the Pirates, whose request was also supported by the representatives of the Change for Hradec and the Greens, the Coalition for Hradec and the KSČM. There were a total of 14 deputies, and at least 13 out of 37 deputies are needed to convene an extraordinary council. 25 and then 19 deputies raised their hands for today's resolution, which was voted on in two blocs.

The Nová Zelená business zone should occupy 25.5 hectares, and the investor wants to start building it next year. There are 14 main buildings to be built around the central car park with almost 1,900 spaces. The complex should have 37 business units with a total sales area of ​​40,120 square meters. For example, there is a hobby market, a furniture store and a Lidl store. A 4.4-hectare park should separate the zone from the development. The zone is one kilometer from the exit of the D11 motorway in Kukleny.

Representatives discussed the construction of the center at the end of April, when Deputy Mayor for Investment Jiří Bláha (ODS) submitted a memorandum of joint action between the city and Endeta for approval. The majority of representatives and also the present members of the public were critical of the intention. The deputies rejected the memorandum, only three of them voted in favor.

According to Kodeš, the city was able to obtain property benefits not only for transport constructions, but also for the development of Kuklen by signing the memorandum. He added that according to the current traffic engineering survey, the construction of radials is not necessary for the solution of the transport service of the shopping park itself, but for the development of the city there are other flats in this locality.

Source: CTK