Municipal management of planning and building applications, 2009

The total number of dispensations granted in the shore zone was 900 ¹ , compared with 812 in 2008. The share of applications granted that include exemptions fell from 67 to 66 per cent.

The general ban on building developments in the shore 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 shore zone. In 2009, approximately 1 500 applications for new buildings in the coastal zone were granted in accordance with municipal plans. This is about 200 less than the previous year.

Increase in objections to detailed plans

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 42 per cent of all municipal plans and 32 per cent of the detailed plans (area development plans) circulated for consultation in 2009. Compared with 2008 figures, this is a decrease in objections to municipal plans, but an increase in objections to detailed plans. More than 50 per cent of the objections to detailed plans were due to environmental considerations (see figure 2).

KOSTRA does not contain information on the results of these objections. The municipalities may either comply; negotiate with the objecting authority, or a final decision is taken by the Ministry of the Environment.

Expenses in land use planning increases

In 2009, gross expenses for land use planning amounted to NOK 2.84 billion. The municipalities’ gross income covered NOK 1.67 billion of these expenses. From 2008, gross expenses rose by only 2 per cent, while the gross income increased by 3.5 per cent.

However, administration fees continue to increase. The average fees for private area development plans, building applications and subdivision of land including survey increased last year by 34, 12 and 8 per cent ² respectively.

The processing time for area development plans, building applications and subdivision of land was 278, 39 and 86 calendar days respectively. This is an increase in processing time for the first two categories. However, these figures are uncertain.

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 88 per cent of the municipalities have reported, and the figure is estimated on the basis of 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. NB: Break in time series: The administration fee for area development plan for 2009 applies for area development of 10 decares with housing density of 40 per cent.

Tables:

• Table 1 Building project applications in areas of particular environmental value
• Table 2 Average processing time and administration fee for area development plans, building applications 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, preservation of cultural heritage, landscape, universal design and climate/energy. 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 various environmental 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. NOK 1 000