Construction in the coastal zone, 2010-2011

The number of building works started in the Norwegian coastal zone (land within 100 metres of the coastal line) decreased by a quarter between 2006 and 2010, according to Matrikkelen. In 2010, 4 383 building works were started compared to 5 837 buildings in 2006. Most counties experienced a decrease in building activity in the coastal zone in 2010 compared to the previous year. The exceptions are Buskerud, Oslo and Nord-Trøndelag, where more building works were started than the year before. Hordaland was still the county with the most building works started in the coastal zone.

Most building works within the coastal zone were started in areas outside built-up areas. In 2010, only 3 076 new building works were started compared to 4 123 buildings in 2006. Holiday properties (cottages) are the most common building type outside built-up areas in the coastal zone, but in 2010 only 24 per cent of the building works started were holiday properties.

Reduction in dispensations for the first time in six years

KOSTRA reporting of physical planning in municipalities and counties shows that the municipalities have received and approved an increased number of exemption applications for construction in the coastal zone from 2006 to 2010. This trend differs from the trend in building activity in the same period. In 2006, municipalities received 1 163 applications for exemption and granted 70 per cent of these. In 2010, municipalities received 1 512 applications and granted 74 per cent of these. It was first in 2011 that a decline in applications (1 345 applications) was registered. However, the share of approved applications is still increasing and in 2011 nearly 78 per cent were approved.

Less space for outdoor activities

Despite the reduction in building activities, the coastal areas potentially accessible for outdoor activities are still shrinking. Areas influenced by buildings, railways, roads and agricultural land are considered as areas not potentially accessible. From 2000 to 2011, the share of the coastal zone closer than 50 metres from buildings nearly doubled from 8.9 per cent in 2000 to 16.5 per cent at the beginning of 2011. The changes have been greatest in Sør-Trøndelag where the share of areas closer than 50 metres from buildings increased by almost 8 per cent since 2005.

Increase in building activities along the water courses

The building activities increased along the water courses of importance in 2010. In total, 5 145 building works were started within a hundred metres of water course of importance (Strahler code = 3). With regard to the coastal zone, the share of watercourses close to buildings is greater in the Oslofjord region than in other parts of the country. However, in recent years the pressures on land have also increased in other parts of the country. In the period 2000 to 2011, the share of water courses within a hundred metres of a building has increased by more than 5 per cent in Vest-Agder, Rogaland and Hordaland. This increase occurred despite the fact that a new Planning and Building Act came into force in July 2009, which includes a new section on restrictions in new building activities along water courses. See Planning and Building Act .

For more information

Further reading: Land use planning in municipalities and counties and About the statistics .

Tables:

• Table 1 Number of building works started in the coastal zone per year, by county. 2005-2010
• Table 2 Land use in coastal area divided by technical influence in municipalities along the Oslofjord and other municipalities with high and low pressure on land areas, by municipality. Status as of 1 January 2011. Per cent
• Table 3 Applications for new buildings along the shore zone outside urban areas. Number approved and rejected