The region canceled the zoning decision for the construction of a hypermarket in Náchod

Hradec Králové - The Hradec Králové Region has canceled the zoning decision for the construction of a hypermarket in Náchod and returned the matter to the City Office in Náchod for a new discussion. The region thus complied with opponents of the store, which the Teplice company JTH Holding wants to build in the city center on the site of the former textile factory Tepna. The decision was published on the official bulletin board. Opponents of the hypermarket managed to initiate a referendum on the construction last November, which was, however, invalid due to low turnout.
    The region canceled the zoning decision due to the lack of a noise study for the construction and operation of the shopping center. The opponents, the Volunteer Citizens' Corps and Hana Böhmová, pointed out this circumstance in their appeal. The region also agreed with the opponents that the Náchod building office did not adequately consider the proposed construction in relation to the "issued urban planning documentation, with the goals and tasks of urban planning, especially with the character of the area, and with the requirements for the protection of architectural and urban values in the area."
    Náchod councilor Michal Kudrnáč (Green Party), who opposes the construction and was behind the appeal, welcomed the region's decision. "The zoning plan is not just regulations. It is a comprehensive document that gives new construction a certain order and meaning in the overall context of the city's functioning. This decision also means a great relief for us, as it can be perceived as a confirmation of our opinion," he stated.
    According to Kudrnáč, the entire project is now returning to the beginning, and it is certain that a hypermarket will not be built in the area of the former Tepna in the coming years. "In the context of the new discussions, the building office will need to assess and carefully justify whether the intention of the shopping center is indeed in accordance with the zoning plan, the character of the area, and the requirements for the protection of architectural and urban values," Kudrnáč added. The request for the now-canceled zoning decision was submitted by the company in November 2012, and the Náchod office issued the decision on August 18 last year.
    Opponents of the hypermarket claim that the project is not in accordance with the zoning plan. The construction would supposedly cause unbearable traffic overload for the entire area. Activists wish that the plots in the city center are better utilized; instead of stores, they prefer block development of the area with a traditional street system.
    Last year, the city initiated its own initiative and reached an agreement with developer JTH Holding to purchase part of the land in the Tepna area, measuring 0.55 hectares for 9.9 million crowns. However, this Monday, the councilors canceled the intention to purchase these plots. Kudrnáč's proposal for negotiations about the purchase of the entire area was not approved by the councilors.