Municipal management of planning and building applications, 2007

These results are taken from the municipalities’ reporting to KOSTRA in 2007. The municipalities received about the same number of applications for new buildings in coastal zone that included exemption as the year before. The total number of such exemptions given was 767 ¹ , compared to 808 in 2006. The share of applications granted that include exemptions fell from 70 to 64 per cent.

The general ban on building developments in the coastal zone does not apply in urban areas or areas regulated for development. Therefore, the number of exemptions does not give a full picture of the level of development in the coastal zone. In 2007, slightly more than 1650 applications for new buildings in the coastal zone were granted in accordance with municipal plans, compared to about 1300 in 2006. (See also Development in the shore zone , where new figures will be released July 2.)

Half of objections to municipal plans are due to environmental considerations

Norwegian municipalities have a vital impact on the protection and management of the environment through the administration of the Planning and Building Act. To safeguard national interests, other public authorities may object to municipal plans if they are in conflict with national or other vital interests.

Public authorities objected to 25 per cent of all municipal plans circulated for consultation in 2007. About half of the objections were due to environmental considerations (see figure). Slightly less than 40 per cent were due to transport, planning and other considerations, while the rest were due to industrial considerations, of which agriculture and forestry dominated.

KOSTRA does not contain information on the results of these objections. The municipalities may either comply or negotiate with the objecting authority. If no agreement is reached, the final decision is taken in the Ministry of the Environment.

Expenses in land use planning increases

In 2007, gross expenses for land use planning amounted to NOK 2.48 billion, or NOK 525 per capita. The municipalities’ gross income covered NOK 1.65 billion of these expenses. From 2006, gross expenses rose by 15 per cent, while the income increased by 9 per cent. This is a break in a trend over the last years, where gross income has increased faster than gross expenses.

However, administration fees continue to increase substantially higher than the general inflation. The average fees for regulation plans, building plans and subdivision of land including survey increased last year by 14, 10 and 4 per cent ² respectively. The processing time for zoning plans, building projects and subdivision of land have remained relatively stable over the last years.

For general information on KOSTRA, see http://www.ssb.no/english/subjects/00/00/20/kostra_en/ .

See also :

Development in the shore zone , and Local environmental efforts in municipalities and county authorities.

¹ Approximately 85 per cent of the municipalities have reported, and the figure is estimated on the basis these.

² This is the average increase in reporting municipalities, where each municipality has the same weight. Total administration fees are however also dependent on the size of the municipality.

Tables:

• Table 1 Building project applications in areas of particular environmental value
• Table 2 Average processing time and administration fee for regulation plans, building plans and subdivision of land including survey. By inhabitants in the municipality
• Table 3 Case load of regulation plans, building plans and subdivision of land including survey. Weighted average
• Table 4 Share of municipalities with plan for biological diversity, outdoor recreation and preservation of cultural heritage. Average age of plans in the year of reporting
• Table 5 Municipal expenses, revenues and investments within land use planning (function 301, 302 og 303)
• Table 6 Applications for exemptions relating to the cultural heritage act and the planning and building act
• Table 7 Number of county authorities with existing plan for different topics. Average age of the plans in the year of reporting
• Table 8 Gross operating expenses, operating revenues and investments in local and regional development - area and nature (function 715). County authorities. 1000 NOK