The residents of Malerhaugveien on Ensjø in Oslo has for almost two years waged an exhausting struggle to get the Planning and Building Agency to intervene against housing developers in the neighborhood.
With video recordings, they have documented dust nuisances and noise at times that go beyond the dispensations the developers have been granted. They believe the problems are so extensive that there is a direct danger to the health of the many families with children in the area.
Be aware of the problems
The Planning and Building Agency, which is responsible for the supervision of such construction sites, has long been aware of these problems, without having taken any action to change it.
– We have had letter correspondence with the residents, says director of area development, Andreas Vaa Bermann in the Planning and Building Agency in Oslo municipality.
– So you have been aware of the problems?
– Yes, we have, Bermann confirms to TV 2.
– SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY: Andreas Vaa Bermann in the Planning and Building Agency. Photo: Petter Sørum-Johansen / TV 2
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He says there has been inspection on the construction site, but that this has been in connection with construction waste. He can not answer why there has been no supervision of noise and dust pollution, despite the fact that they have had knowledge of all the documentation presented by the residents.
The director of the technical department in the agency, Pål Granberg, is responsible for conducting inspections, but he does not want to be interviewed by TV 2.
– Has the municipality made measurements of the limit values for dust and noise in Malerhaugveien?
– There we refer to the municipal doctor, says Bermann.
For three weeks, TV 2 has tried to get an interview with district chief physician Simen Ravlo, but it has not been possible. In an e-mail, however, he writes that he does not know that such measurements have been made.
Afraid that lives will be lost
Vera Holt, who lives on Ensjø, has been at the forefront of the fight the residents have fought to get someone to take responsibility.
– CONCERNED: Vera Holt has for a long time expressed her concern about the situation. Photo: Simen Askjer / TV 2
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– I hope I am wrong, but I am afraid that someone will lose their life before someone takes responsibility and does something about it, she says.
She thinks especially of the many children who live in the area. On the way to school and kindergarten, they have to walk between trucks, excavators and cranes that move on concrete elements.
– I get completely hurt inside me when I see it, says Holt.
After TV 2 first told about the potentially dangerous conditions in Malerhaugveien, the politicians at the town hall in Oslo are now taking action.
– I became acquainted with this case when TV 2 told about it, and it is clear that they have not done a good enough job here, says City Councilor for Urban Development, Hanna Marcussen (MDG).
Bermann in the Planning and Building Agency accepts the criticism.
– Yes, I can say that we could have done a better job here. And we will do a better job in the future, he says.
Requests additional supervision
The City Council is now giving clear notice to the agency with supervisory authority to carry out inspections to uncover breaches of rules.
– In this case, I have asked the Planning and Building Agency to carry out additional inspections. That is what we can do when things are not as they should be, says Marcussen.
– CLEAR MESSAGE: Hanna Marcussen, City Councilor in Oslo for Urban Development. Photo: Petter Sørum Johansen / TV 2
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When asked what the director of the Planning and Building Agency thinks about the need for a political order before an audit is carried out, he struggles to find the right words.
– No, what should I think about it?
– It should not be necessary, right?
– No, it should not, says Bermann.
– Fantastic!
The development of Malerhaugveien is just one of many examples in the capital. Oslo is growing at record speed. Every year for the last 10 to 15 years, 3-4000 new homes have been built every year.
In the record year 2021, around 5,000 homes are under construction.
– It is positive that Oslo is growing, but then there are obviously also challenges with it, says City Councilor for Urban Development, Hanna Marcussen.
The clear signal from the town hall is a relief for the residents of Malerhaugveien. Now they also hope that others in Oslo will release the burdens they have experienced in the construction projects in the years to come.
– It’s absolutely fantastic! Now we are looking forward to seeing that something will happen, says resident Vera Holt.
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