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Berlin Court Halts Pankow Refugee Housing Plan Over Species-Protection Flaws

An imprecise permit covering impacts on bats and breeding birds prompted the halt.

Overview

  • The administrative court, ruling in an expedited procedure, rejected Gesobau’s urgent bid to begin preparatory work and found the species-protection exemption unlawful.
  • The permit failed to specify which protected species and which impacts it covered, leading judges to say it resembled an impermissible blanket authorization.
  • The state-owned housing company planned refugee accommodations in two green inner courtyards on Kavalierstraße and Ossietzkystraße in Berlin-Pankow.
  • Three conservation associations filed objections citing protected breeding birds and bats, and local residents have opposed the project.
  • An appeal can be filed with the Higher Administrative Court Berlin-Brandenburg, and construction remains paused pending further legal steps or a clarified permit.