Protests Accompanied Laying of Foundation Stone for FSZ
New Fire Service Centre (FSC) in Neustadt-Glewe Sparks Controversy
A new fire service centre (FSC) in Neustadt-Glewe, Ludwigslust-Parchim district, has been met with both support and opposition. The groundbreaking ceremony for the project took place recently, but a citizens' initiative has formed in opposition to the FSC's planned location.
The citizens' initiative criticizes the proximity of the FSC to a memorial site, and fears that the entire area may be sealed off. They also express concerns about potential light and noise pollution, and believe that rare birds and a larger grass snake population may be at risk due to the FSC.
The district purchased the property for the FSC after decisions and votes in the municipal and district committees were publicly discussed. Landrat Stefan Sternberg, who supports the FSC as a 'lighthouse project,' sees the protests pragmatically, citing the city's offer of the area and the expert committee's decision deeming it the most suitable site for the project.
The FSC will serve as a maintenance facility for fire vehicles and equipment, a training ground, and a management centre for the district's exchange rooms network. It will not be an industrial-like facility, but will be used by firefighters for training and material maintenance during the day. The majority of the FSC's activities will take place inside the building.
The state is providing around 10 million euros in support for the FSC project. The institutions actively supporting the FSC construction in Ludwigslust-Parchim-Kreis, besides Landrat Stefan Sternberg and the CDU faction in the district council, include the SPD, Bündnis 90/Die Grünen, and to some extent the FDP as well as various local interest groups and organizations.
Minister President Manuela Schwesig (SPD) supports Landrat Stefan Sternberg's assessment of the FSC, emphasizing the importance of the fire department and blue light organizations. She sees the FSC as an important step towards population protection and strong and operational fire departments throughout the district.
The city of Neustadt-Glewe and the district have spoken with the citizens' initiative several times and proposed compromises. However, the citizens' initiative 'Against the planned location of the FSC' has filed an urgent application for a construction stop and a norm control procedure against the city of Neustadt-Glewe.
The protests were primarily directed against Landrat Stefan Sternberg. Members of the citizens' initiative are homeowners whose properties border the FSC site. They have demonstrated against the FSC during the groundbreaking ceremony with loudspeaker announcements, banners, and soap bubble machines.
Despite the opposition, construction on the FSC is set to continue. The expert opinions of the responsible expert groups contradict the concerns of the citizens' initiative about light and noise pollution. The district and city have done all they can to address the concerns of the citizens' initiative, but it remains to be seen whether their efforts will be enough to quell the opposition.
