Residents of the Oława commune are protesting against the general plan that assumes agricultural production zones of over 50 percent. areas

Until September 24, residents of the Oława commune could submit comments on the draft general plan. The document, which is to define the future framework for the commune's spatial development, aroused great emotions. It assumes that over 50 percent Agricultural production zones will be created in the commune, which will constitute an open road for large farms or piggeries. Concerns mainly concern the size of potential developments and their distance from existing homes.

There is no act in Poland that would specify the minimum distance of burdensome investments from residential buildings. At this point, there is nothing to protect the residents. Purpose of 10 thousand ha for this type of activity, there are thousands of potential locations. This scale is shocking - says RMF FM Adam Żmuda, the initiator of the protest.

Farms, piggeries and biogas plants

The term "stinking investments" appears among residents. This mainly concerns large poultry farms, piggeries with tens of thousands of herds, barns and biogas plants. We are not against development, investments and technologies. We are also not so-called "foilists". But we bought houses that weren't cheap, we have families and small children and we can't imagine such henhouses behind a fence. I have two little daughters. The smell and flies will not allow us to use the yard, go for walks or go to the playground - says RMF FM Mr. Maciej from Marcinkowice, who is also afraid of the decline in the value of his property. Residents also point to increased vehicle traffic and other consequences related to the operation of large farms.

Over half a thousand comments have already been received by the office

The scale of the protest is visible in the number of documents submitted. Over 500 comments were submitted to the Oława Commune Office. The initiators of the campaign emphasize that more detailed analyzes are needed regarding the location and scale of future investments and greater protection of inhabited areas. Residents analyzed many general plans in the region and Poland and nowhere did they come across such a scale as near Oława. In neighboring Jelcz-Laskowice, the plan assumes 2%. areas for such investments, in Domaniów less than 1 percent Even less in Siechnice or Czernica. And here we are talking about 50 percent. - explains Żmuda.

The mayor announces changes

Mayor Artur Piotrowski did not find time to meet our reporter this week. However, in a telephone conversation, he said that he would carefully analyze each submitted comment, and the draft plan was only a proposal and everyone had the right to comment on it. When asked whether he was in favor of such greatly expanded agricultural production zones, he argued that he had no opinion on the matter. I'm here to do what people want. I will definitely listen to their voices - he told our reporter Martyna Czerwińska.

He also assured that the local government wants to allow farms to operate only where it is justified. The plan itself is not a permit to build a specific farm or biogas plant. Any investments may still be blocked by local spatial development plans, Piotrowski reassures. However, the protesters emphasize that they have no guarantee that councilors will later adopt the local development plan that protects them, and designating an appropriate zone would guarantee them peace.

Public consultations have ended. Now the local government will have to analyze the submitted proposals and decide which of them will be included in further work on the document.

The dispute also spilled over into the referendum

The conflict over the general plan also has a political dimension. The Association of Friends of Maszków notified the Electoral Commissioner in Wrocław of its intention to start the referendum procedure regarding the dismissal of mayor Artur Piotrowski before the end of the term. To hold a referendum, it is necessary to collect the appropriate number of signatures. We do not belong to any party, we do not have any political goals, we organize the referendum and protest campaign from our own funds - assures Adam Żmuda.

The final shape of the plan will show how these two interests will be reconciled.