People demonstrated against the construction at Lužiny metro station despite the rain

Prague - Around 200 people demonstrated today against the construction near the Lužiny metro station, despite the adverse weather conditions. The developer wants to build two tower blocks above the shopping center, with one option considering up to 26 floors. A petition against their construction has already been signed by over 1600 people, with more joining at today's protest. People lined up to sign it.
    "The goal of the demonstration is to stop the construction. Both options with 16 and 26 floors. The residents do not want either of them," said Petr Kučera from the Association of Civic Associations of the Southwest City at today's gathering.
    Senator Václav Láska (for the Greens) reminded that the demonstration will not stop the construction, but the pressure from residents is important. "The main battle will take place in the administrative proceedings and at the administrative courts," Láska stated.
    The leadership of the local municipality had already previously declared that only the magistrate can stop the construction. The council, composed of representatives of ODS, ČSSD, and ANO, has already accepted a dissenting opinion. "Nevertheless, we expect the municipality to agree to the option with 16 floors," activist Kučera mentioned today.
    As part of the EIA process, the impact of the construction on the environment is being assessed. If the construction company does not receive a positive opinion, the relevant building authority can reject the project. The assessment began in September 2013, and the last documents were supplemented in January this year, but the review is not yet completed. Following this, there will be a territorial and building process led by the local building authority. An appeal against its decision can then be made to the Prague magistrate.
    The investors of the criticized buildings are the companies Lužiny Alfa and Lužiny Beta, which are predominantly owned by the company City West Investors based in London. The company has two project options. Both consider two buildings that will be connected to the Lužiny shopping center. While the first option proposes fifteen and sixteen-story buildings, in the second option, the western building will rise to 26 above-ground floors. A total of 303 or 293 apartments are supposed to be built as part of the project. People dislike the burden caused by the construction and also lack civil amenities for the new residents of the built apartments, such as spots in kindergartens.