LBV Criticizes Teublitz's Plans for Industrial Zone in Climate Forest

The Bavarian Association for Bird and Nature Conservation (LBV) has criticized the town of Teublitz for its continued pursuit of a roughly 20-hectare industrial zone within a state forest. This comes despite the Bavarian Administrative Court (VGH) invalidating a previous plan in 2021 following a lawsuit by the LBV.

The Teublitz town council is scheduled to vote on a revised development plan proposal on Thursday. This move would initiate a new public consultation and review process by relevant authorities. LBV's managing director, Helmut Beran, stated that planning an industrial area in a climate protection forest sends a "fatal signal." He urged the Bavarian state government to stop making state forests available for construction and industrial development and called on Teublitz to abandon the project.

Critics highlight the forest's vital role, noting its resilience during the extreme heat and drought of summer 2022. The area also contains thriving alder swamp forests that would be significantly impacted by logging. The LBV emphasizes the importance of preserving this area for regional climate protection and its contribution to the Teublitz ponds' water supply.

The LBV also points out that regional forestry and nature conservation authorities have previously issued negative opinions on the project. While the town is now attempting to overcome earlier legal objections with new studies, the LBV maintains that this does not address the fundamental issue of the site's location within a forest. The organization warns of a dangerous precedent for the use of state forests as industrial zones.