Leipzig had submitted a large number of objections to the planning approval decision for the expansion of Leipzig/Halle Airport. Practically all of them were not taken into account by the planning approval authority, the Saxony State Directorate. Which Leipzig was not alone in. The state government obviously wants to push through the expansion against all resistance.
On October 23rd, at the council meeting, it became clear once again how naked municipalities in Saxony are if they want to prevent such a project. The city has not yet finished examining the planning approval decision, emphasized building mayor Thomas Dienberg in his very brief statement on the approval by the state management, which was announced in September.
From Tuesday, November 5th, the four-week period begins in which those affected can submit their objections to the stipulations of the planning approval decision. After that, all masses are sung, emphasized Dienberg.
The city is checking
The city could also examine the extent to which a lawsuit against the decision is possible. But this is a tricky point, because the first question is whether Leipzig – unlike environmental associations that can sue against environmental violations – has the right to sue. Because with municipalities it is always about direct impact, i.e. real sovereign rights such as property rights, development plans that can no longer be implemented or the increasing burden on vulnerable facilities such as hospitals or schools. Except in the third case, where Leipzig would only be slightly affected, this would not be the case, said Dienberg.
Who nevertheless wants to report at the next meetings of the specialist committees for urban planning and construction and the environment and order on the results of the examination by the administration, which have to be drawn up fairly quickly so that the objection deadline can still be met.
The lawsuit was brought by the parliamentary group leader of the Alliance 90/The Greens faction, Dr. Tobias Peter, brought into play. But Leipzig is just – according to FDP city councilor Sven Morlok, who also knows the issue from his time as Saxon Economics Minister – a “neighboring local authority”. So not directly affected.
This is a question that needs to be clarified, because the residents of the north and west of Leipzig are still affected by increasing aircraft noise. And a possible expansion of the noise protection zone around the airport could also affect development opportunities in the north of Leipzig.
But Dienberg didn’t hold out much hope that Leipzig would actually be able to file a well-founded lawsuit in the end: “The chances of success on this basis are relatively low.” Which once again raises the question of who has a chance in the end in West Saxony, against such a clear one to complain about the climate-damaging expansion of the cargo airport.
