Urban wants to advocate for the expropriation of land for industrial zones

PRAGUE - Minister of Industry and Trade Milan Urban (ČSSD) wants it to be possible to expropriate land for the construction of industrial zones, as reported by today's Hospodářské noviny. He is therefore preparing to include such a provision in the draft law on land expropriation currently being discussed by the Chamber of Deputies. With its help, the state aims to accelerate the construction of roads, highways, and railways.
However, pushing for expropriation in favor of industrial parks will be difficult, as it is opposed by both coalition partners and the opposition ODS, and the ČSSD is also not unified, writes HN.
According to the newspaper, Urban was unsuccessful in presenting the proposal during discussions in the government. In the Chamber, social democratic deputy Miloslav Kala is reportedly prepared to propose a change.
"This option does not exist, and that is a mistake," Urban told HN. According to ministry spokesman Ivo Mravinac, the proposal is a response to recent problems with the preparation of industrial zones, especially in Nošovice in Northern Moravia. There, it was not possible to purchase the missing 30 hectares, and the investor, the South Korean car manufacturer Hyundai, moved to Slovakia, notes HN.
The ministry's opinion is also defended by the head of the government agency Czechinvest Radomil Novák. "Expropriation of land for industrial parks - as the most extreme option in areas of national importance - exists throughout Europe, specifically it is quite common in Great Britain," he stated.
In contrast, the Ministry of the Environment strongly disagrees. "After all, it is about acquiring land for private entrepreneurs, and public interest cannot apply to them. We will strive to prevent such attempts to favor industrial zones," declared Minister Libor Ambrozek.
Government ČSSD deputy Jaromír Schling also has doubts about the future demonstration of public interest. "It is something completely different than linear constructions and will be difficult to justify," he told HN. However, the decisive factor will be the opinion that prevails in the entire deputy club after the discussion, he added.
The ministry will attempt to push for expropriation for industrial zones for the second time. Three years ago, Minister Miroslav Grégr was unsuccessful with it. The impetus then was the difficulties faced by Hranice in Moravia in purchasing a hectare of land for Philips. The owner, Markéta Regecová, eventually sold it for 25 million crowns.