MMR will suspend the effectiveness of Prague's building regulations

Prague - The Ministry for Regional Development (MMR) will suspend the effectiveness of Prague's building regulations until new ones are established. Instead, general regulations will apply, as elsewhere in the Czech Republic. This was stated to reporters after today's meeting with Prague's mayor Adriana Krnáčová by the Minister for Regional Development Karla Šlechtová (both from ANO). The main city will likely be given at least a six-month period to develop new regulations. If the city incurs damages due to delays, Krnáčová wants to identify those responsible.
    "If Prague does not adopt a remedy within 60 days, which the MMR guarantees will actually correct the Prague building regulations, the ministry has decided to suspend these regulations," said Šlechtová. The decision to suspend should be delivered by Tuesday, December 23.
    According to Šlechtová, the decision of the city council to develop an amendment to the building regulations is not a sufficient guarantee that corrections will actually be made. The ministry was concerned about three shortcomings in the building regulations: the lack of notification of regulations by the European Commission and issues related to road temperature and lighting and sunlight.
    "Following my meeting today with Minister for Regional Development Karla Šlechtová, we face a challenging task. We have approximately six months to prepare the amendment to the Prague building regulations. Until new regulations are adopted, Prague will follow general regulations," stated Mayor Adriana Krnáčová in a press release.
    According to her, the blame for the current situation lies with the former leadership of the main city. "If the city incurs damages, we will definitely seek out those responsible and demand compensation from those who caused the damage," added Krnáčová.
    The building regulations, which are an implementing regulation of the building law, were approved by the previous city council led by Mayor Tomáš Hudeček. Before they came into effect in October, they sparked a heated debate. The billboard lobby initiated a strong media campaign against them because it disagreed with the regulation of advertising imposed by the regulations. The ministry subsequently raised objections and requested amendments to the regulations from Prague.
    The period for addressing objections expired on Monday. After the suspension of regulations, the general building law and the law on the capital city of Prague apply for construction in Prague.