Plzeňský kraj will build a new social services pavilion in Liblín

Liblín (Rokycansko) - The Plzeň region is likely to finally build a new pavilion at the Social Services Home in Liblín in the Rokycansko area. The construction, estimated at 40 million crowns, had been in preparation for six years, but the previous regional leadership removed it from the list due to objections from heritage protectors and neighbors. Now, an amended project is once again undergoing construction proceedings at the office in Radnice - for the umpteenth time. This year, the region has allocated five million crowns in the budget to start construction, said regional councilor for social affairs Zdeněk Honz (ČSSD) to ČTK.

According to him, five million is sufficient this year; it made no sense to allocate the entire sum when it is unclear whether the construction will be approved. If the office issues a building permit, the region can begin to tender suppliers, and the construction would be financed and completed next year.

"It is awaited whether a neighbor will file an objection to the building permit," Honz stated. "The Department of Culture and Heritage Care has expressed the opinion that conditions set by the complainant should be met, meaning the construction should be reduced by one floor," he added. The new project now includes only the ground floor and one additional floor. However, the planned number of beds has not decreased because there will be no workshops for clients in the building.

The modified new pavilion will accommodate all 35 clients from the old wooden Finnish houses, which the region wants to demolish. According to Honz, these houses resemble living conditions in a workers' colony from the turn of the 19th and 20th centuries. "At the same time, we would also reduce the numerous, for example, five-bed rooms," he said.

The Liblín home is permanently fully occupied, housing almost 150 clients. According to Honz, it is a combination of facilities for people with disabilities, with special regimes, and a home for the elderly.

The construction of the new pavilion was supposed to begin back in 2012. The Rocokycan office's approval for the construction was challenged by heritage protectors. The Liblín home is located in a chateau that last belonged to Emil Kučera, co-owner of the Orion chocolate factories. His heirs transferred it to the state. Almost 80 people work at the home, making it the largest employer in the area.