Development on Schanzacker: Environmental report brings hope and worries

Development on Schanzacker: Environmental report brings hope and worries

The environmental report for the Schanzacker area in Ludwigsburg is available. The report was commissioned by Vermögens und Bau Baden-Württemberg to examine the developability of the area. The results show that development is fundamentally possible from an ecological perspective, but strict nature conservation requirements must be adhered to. This includes avoidance, minimization and compensatory measures to protect bird species, bats and reptiles, such as fm.baden-wuerttemberg.de reported.

The in-depth examination of the location for the initial reception of refugees is continuing. The next step includes a detailed investigation of the building planning and spatial planning situation, which is carried out by the Stuttgart Regional Council and Assets and Construction Baden-Württemberg. It remains unclear when this review will be completed. A decision on further steps will be made after these checks have been completed.

Resistance from residents and communities

While the review is still ongoing, the cities of Asperg, Ludwigsburg and Tamm have firmly rejected the planning of a state-owned initial reception facility (LEA) on the Schanzacker. This rejection is supported by the administrative management and local councils of the three municipalities. Ludwigsburg's mayor Dr. Matthias Knecht explained that the LEA cannot be implemented legally or politically. The unrest among the population is noticeable, and the location is clearly rejected by citizens and local politicians ludwigsburg.de.

The reasons for rejection include the lack of development in the area and the threat to the regional green belt. Mayor Martin Bernhard emphasized that current building law does not allow such development and that protecting the environment is of central importance.

Legal opinions and alternative suggestions

A conversation between the mayor and the citizens' initiative “Together against LEA Tamm-Asperg” took place at the end of February. The three cities and the citizens' initiative agree on the rejection of the LEA on the Schanzacker. Mayor Eiberger also pointed out the high investment costs that would be incurred due to the lack of infrastructure. Legal opinions prepared in May and December 2023 confirm that an LEA is not permitted in the regional green area, which further increases doubts about the project's ability to be approved.

Mayor Knecht formulated conditions for the LEA and called for a last resort, while suggesting alternatives should be examined. An expert report is intended to create transparency and clarify the legal position of the city of Ludwigsburg. Knecht is calling for an open-ended examination of several locations by the state, with the conditions for an LEA including, among other things, development by bridge or tunnel, sustainable construction and the protection of the affected farmers. In addition, the size of the facility should be limited to up to 600 places and social issues and security should be taken care of.

The municipalities should be exempt from subsequent accommodation, while the district is exempt from the initial accommodation. Mayor Knecht is also calling for special subsidies from the state for education and infrastructure measures and has called on the state to push forward with the open-ended examination and to hold discussions with the municipalities.