IPR has appealed against the permit for the shipping lock in Smíchov

Prague - The Prague Institute of Planning and Development (IPR) has filed an appeal against the permit for the construction of a new lock chamber near Children's Island. The reason, according to the appeal text available to ČTK, is the illegality and inaccuracy of the contested decision. The special building authority of the Prague City Hall granted the construction permit in early August this year. The construction, planned by the state enterprise Povodí Vltavy, is opposed by the leadership of Prague and the city districts of Prague 5 and Prague 1. Conversely, Povodí insists on it. The municipal authority's statement is being obtained by ČTK.

"The number of large vessels on the Vltava River in Prague has dramatically increased in recent years, which is not good news. Therefore, we do not support the idea of a lock chamber for large tourist boats in this location. We prefer a compromise solution aimed primarily at small vessels," said IPR spokesperson Marek Vácha.

According to IPR, the illegality is based on several reasons. According to the institute, the permit was issued in contradiction to the public interests of the municipality and its residents, and thus does not rely on demonstrable public interest. It is also not clear what the fundamental reason for the location and permit of the construction is, making it supposedly unreviewable in the case of objections, according to IPR.

The decision is allegedly also based on incorrectness and illegality of the positions of the city hall's conservation and urban development departments. For example, the conservation department only assessed the construction itself but did not address its impacts on the surrounding area. According to IPR, there will be degradation of the historical center, limited access to the river, or destruction of views of the National Theatre. The boats will also deteriorate air quality.

Last year, the construction was rejected by the building authority of Prague 5, but the Povodí, under the law, could still request the water management authority at the city hall. Both authorities fall under state administration and politicians are not supposed to have influence over them. According to the decision, Povodí had binding opinions from the city hall's departments and other institutions, according to which the construction complies with the Prague zoning plan, heritage protection, and hygiene regulations. IPR disputes this among other things.

A few weeks ago, Prague councilors adopted a resolution opposing the construction, as did the city halls of Prague 1 and 5 beforehand. Prague and the city halls signed a memorandum in which they commit to utilizing all legal means to prevent the construction. The state enterprise justifies the need for a new chamber by the insufficient capacity of the existing one and insists on the project.

The chamber is to be 55 meters long, 11 meters wide, and will be located on the opposite side of Children's Island from the existing one. If Povodí obtains final approval, the construction is expected to take two to three years and, according to the documentation for the zoning decision, would cost approximately 530 million crowns.