Biel/Nidau: Agglolac planning is one step ahead
The major Agglolac project has cleared an important hurdle: Following successful preliminary examination by the canton, the basic building regulations are now open to the public.
The towns of Nidau and Biel and the real estate company Mobimo have been pursuing plans for a town extension to the lake for seven years. A new quarter for 1,500 residents is to be built on the former Expo site, between the Bay of Lake Biel and Nidau Castle. However, there was fierce public opposition to the large-scale project, especially to a planned high-rise building.
In recent months, the project company has revised the planning so that the future quarter meets the requirements for the protection of the local character. Some building lines were adjusted and the maximum building heights partially reduced. The result is a somewhat lower density of use, which also has an effect on the economic viability of the generation project, according to a statement by the project company. It was also agreed that the cities of Biel and Niedau would give 60% of the land in building rights and sell only 40% to Mobimo.
18% of the land for use will be reserved for non-profit housing developers. According to the new agreement, Nidau and Biel will generate a return of CHF 95 million from their land. Half of this sum is to be used to hand over land ready for construction to the investor. The cities intend to use the other half for the design of public areas and infrastructure, such as the expansion of the Barkenhafen harbour and the ecological upgrading of the Erlenwäldli.
The general conditions for the development of the Agglolac area are laid down in Nidau's building regulations. Following the successful completion of the preliminary examination by the canton, this has been open to the public in Nidau since 22 August and until 23 September 2019. In early summer 2020, the voters of Nidau and Biel can vote again on the urban development project. (ah)
