The Chamber will consider the construction law; it will allow building even without a permit

PRAGUE - Builders will likely be able to construct family houses up to 150 square meters and three above-ground floors based solely on a notification. Bureaucracy will also decrease for other small constructions, such as garages, or during apartment renovations. Builders should no longer need a building permit for these constructions. This is part of a new building law that will be approved by the parliament at the upcoming meeting. The MPs will meet on Tuesday, November 22.
Changes regarding building permits are just a minor part of the innovations proposed by the government in the building law. The cabinet expects that the draft will support regional development and the construction of apartments. The Ministry for Regional Development suggests that the law take effect on January 1, 2007.
Builders claim that the proposed law is revolutionary compared to the current legal situation. Preparing a construction project, including permits, often takes longer than the actual execution. Builders consider the main benefit of the new law to be the reduction of bureaucracy, which will simplify the preparation and execution of buildings.
"Accelerating construction would mean an easier life for investors and construction companies," said František Polák, spokesman for Metrostav, earlier. The amendment plans to significantly limit the administration associated with the preparation of large constructions. For example, the construction of the Mrázovka tunnel in Prague was delayed by three years due to a number of appeals. The new law should eliminate similar problems.
However, MPs from the ODS criticize the draft. For example, MP Pavel Hrnčíř claims that the new building law brings "few simplifications in few cases and many complications in many cases," an increase in the number of officials and bureaucracy that provides no relief to citizens or businesses. "Builders will continue to navigate offices with documents and stamps as before - the relief is only apparent for the official apparatus," he said.
According to him, the new law also expands the space for expropriation through forced exchange of land and forced preemption rights for private property owners. He asserts that the law distances the performance of state administration from citizens by abolishing nearly half of the building authorities. "The new building law contains malice, as it will come into effect on January 1, 2007, when this government will undoubtedly no longer be here, and citizens will only realize these negative consequences and empty promises later," he said in June during the first reading of the draft.