The Association of Entrepreneurs in Construction launches a website for the Construction Act

Prague – The Association of Builders in Construction (SPS), which brings together construction and development companies, is launching the website www.postavenenahlavu.cz. The website and its associated Facebook page are intended to serve as a discussion platform for the new construction law currently under consideration by the Chamber of Deputies. This was announced today by the spokesperson for the association, Kristýna Dolejšová. The government expects significant acceleration and simplification of building permit processes from this law. However, the bill has many critics.

"The permitting processes are prolonged and complex; in this area, we rank among the worst countries in the world. The slow development and modernization of the state's infrastructure, especially transportation, is the best proof of this. The same applies to inaccessible and expensive housing," stated SPS President Jiří Nouza.

According to him, there is a misunderstanding among many local government and political entities regarding the purpose and goals of the new construction law. "We have therefore decided to give space to the general public so they have a platform where they can express their views on both the new law and their experiences with the current one. The construction law concerns everyone. Not just those who will operate under it in their work, but every citizen," added Nouza.

The main slogan of the website is that previously it took a year to get a permit and ten years to build. Today, it is exactly the opposite. "That is turned upside down," it is written in the introduction.

Last week, lawmakers decided that the basis for further consideration of the proposed new construction law would no longer be the original material from the Ministry of Regional Development. Instead, a comprehensive amendment proposal from the Chamber of Deputies' Economic Committee, which foresees transferring all building authorities under the state, will serve as the basis. Lawmakers can now direct their amendments toward this proposal. However, many opposition lawmakers criticize and reject the Economic Committee’s version. A group of lawmakers led by Martin Kupka (ODS) has prepared an alternative comprehensive amendment proposal that retains some authorities under the municipalities.

The opinions of various industry associations or authorities on the proposed form of the law vary. For its adoption, organizations such as the Chamber of Commerce of the Czech Republic, the Association of Industry and Transport, or the Association of Developers are in favor. However, the Ministry of Culture, the Czech Chamber of Authorized Engineers in Construction, or the Czech Chamber of Architects have reservations. The Association of Towns and Municipalities even proposed withdrawing the law from consideration. Minister for Regional Development Klára Dostálová (for ANO) deemed this irresponsible politicking.

The main principles of the law are to establish a single proceeding before one building authority and to integrate relevant bodies into the building authorities, so the builder will not have to seek necessary opinions on their own. The law also introduces fixed deadlines, measures against inactivity, and an appeal principle whereby the superior authority will no longer return the matter for reconsideration.

The Association of Builders in Construction in the Czech Republic was founded in 1990. It defends the interests of approximately a thousand members and strives for a favorable business environment in legislation and economic policy. Its members include not only construction firms but also manufacturers of construction materials, guilds, and developers.