Opposition from Prague 1 wants to appeal against Penta's plan, Prague will consider it

Prague - Opposition parties from Prague 1 have called on Mayor Zdeněk Hřib (Pirates) to appeal against the zoning decision permitting the first phase of the large project by the Penta group near Masaryk Station. Representatives of the Pirates and the group Prague 1 for Themselves stated that, in their view, contentious procedures appeared in the zoning process, and the first district does not intend to appeal. This was confirmed to ČTK by Mayor Petr Hejma (STAN). In response, Hřib stated that the city is evaluating the situation.

Penta aims to build an administrative district with shops and restaurants on the sites according to the project of the late British architect Zaha Hadid. The issued decision pertains to the first part of the project on a brownfield near Na Florenci street, where two connected blocks are to be created.

The opposition from Prague 1 is dissatisfied with the fact that the announcement of the initiation of the zoning process was not posted on the official bulletin board, there was no oral hearing, and associations expressing opinions on the construction, as well as local residents, were not recognized as participants in the process. Only recognized participants in the process can appeal. The appeal is then handled by the magistrate's office, which falls under state administration, not self-government, and local politicians have no legal influence on its decision-making.

The capital city is a participant in the proceedings, and opposition representatives from the first district have therefore called on the mayor to ensure that the magistrate appeals through its organization, the Institute of Planning and Development (IPR). "This construction has the potential to significantly affect all of Prague, both socially and ecologically, especially the ever-depopulating center of our city," they stated in an open letter. They argue that the construction conflicts with the city's principles of territorial development, a number of legal regulations, and the public interest.

"We are currently investigating whether the issued zoning decision meets all the requirements sent by the city to the developer through the IPR, and it is necessary to verify whether all opinions of the affected authorities have been adequately addressed," Hřib wrote to ČTK. He added that he is continuously discussing the next steps with coalition partners, and one of the options is an appeal from the IPR side as well. However, the mayor emphasized that the city is just one of the participants in the zoning process, and the decision is in the competence of state administration authorities.

The opposition from Prague 1 criticizes the fact that the city district does not plan to appeal the issuance of the zoning decision. Mayor Hejma told ČTK that there is no reason for an appeal. "We cannot act as a municipal council in an activist manner and obstruct the functioning of state administration," he said. He added that the council, in cooperation with the magistrate, wants to further influence the shape of other parts of the project, noting that towards Prague 8, Penta could potentially build apartments alongside offices and shops. However, regarding the first phase, which is located on a brownfield near the station and the main road, he believes it does not make sense. The investor should also ensure the best possible arrangement of public spaces, plant greenery, and so on, Hejma said.

According to Penta's plans, new buildings are expected to cover the unused area around Masaryk Station and continue on the other side of the main road towards Florenc. The buildings may be up to nine stories tall, and the most striking one, according to the design of the British-Iranian architect Zaha Hadid, is meant to resemble the tracks on its facade, which will symbolically end in a structure resembling a golden tower. The investor also promises a square, parks, and other greenery, as well as better connectivity between Prague 1 and the areas of Florenc and Karlín. In total, the project is expected to include up to 100,000 square meters of office space, shops, restaurants, and cafes. The construction could cost up to ten billion crowns.