The regional office allowed the extension of Teska on Dornychu

Brno - The Regional Office of the South Moravian Region has allowed Tesco Stores to take steps to start the controversial expansion of a shopping gallery next to the department store in the city center next fall. The office, which assessed the environmental impacts of the planned construction, has now decided that Tesco's plans do not require further assessment and that no report needs to be prepared. This was revealed to ČTK in the EIA information system, and the information was confirmed to the agency by Petr Horáček from the environmental department of the office. However, activists disagree with the planned construction of the shopping gallery.
     The location where the new shopping gallery is to be built currently hosts a pedestrian walkway connecting the main train station with the Vaňkovka shopping gallery and the main bus station Zvonařka. Tesco also plans to create almost 500 new parking spaces as part of the modifications it intends to complete by summer 2014.
     "Essentially, this means that the intention does not have significant impacts on the environment that would justify the need for further assessment," explained Horáček regarding the position of the regional office. "The decision on whether construction can begin is within the competence of the relevant building authority in the framework of the building permit. The EIA process does not decide on the approval or disapproval of the construction; it serves as a professional basis for the building authority's decision," he added.
     The city approved the project some time ago, stating that the investor must submit a detailed proposal for a planning contract, including a timeline, before the start of the zoning procedure.
     The city, however, wants to ensure, according to Mayor Roman Onderka (CSSD), that Tesco submits a quality proposal on how to take into account the interests of the city and its residents, such as public spaces adjacent to the future gallery and parking spaces. "In any case, there must be a satisfactory urban connection to the historic core of the city," Onderka stated some time ago.
     The expansion that Tesco plans near the main train station will also occupy an area where a parking lot, an Asian bistro, and a children's and youth house currently stand. Its management has expressed disagreement with the demolition.
     Activists have long protested against Tesco's plans. Matěj Hollan from the Brnění movement told ČTK today that other retail chains are also planning their activities in the area where Tesco wants to build. "So far, no one is considering the overall impact of these plans on the historical center of the city," he noted.
     Activists from the Nesehnutí movement have called for cafes, resting places, or apartments to be created instead of a new shopping gallery in the area.
     Tesco Stores currently operates seven stores in Brno, including a department store, hypermarkets, and a supermarket.