Aarhus Byråd
The byråd (city council) sends proposal on legalisation of 3,800 allotment gardens to the magistrat (municipal executive)
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Aarhus Byråd on 23 September 2026 referred Venstre's decision proposal on comprehensive legalisation of the allotment garden areas to processing by the magistrat.
- Document date
- Section
- City council
- Status
- Beta
Summary
Aarhus Byråd on 23 September 2026 referred Venstre's decision proposal on comprehensive legalisation of the allotment garden areas to processing by the magistrat. The case now goes to the Magistrate Department for Technical Affairs and Environment, which must prepare a recommendation before it returns to the byråd.
Fra byrådets papirer
Submitted to the Magistrate Department for Technical Affairs and Environment for the preparation of a recommendation, cf. the byråd's decision at the meeting on 23 September 2026 on magistrat processing of the proposal. The case is requested to be returned to the byråd via the magistrat.
What it means for you
There is not yet a new lokalplan (local development plan) or a concrete legalisation plan in place. The byråd has asked the administration to examine Venstre's proposal more closely before a decision is taken on a systematic effort inspired by the Vejle model. For now, the existing rules and the dialogue that Technical Affairs and Environment already has with the garden associations apply.
Background
Venstre, with spokesperson Gert Bjerregaard, Member of the Technical udvalg (committee) & group chair, proposed that Technical Affairs and Environment present a plan for comprehensive legalisation of the allotment garden areas. The plan was to build on new, up-to-date lokalplaner for the individual areas with clear frameworks for the size and extent of buildings, the use of the gardens, options for legalisation or adaptation/demolition of illegal construction, and a consistent effort against illegal year-round occupation. Inspiration was to be drawn from the experience of Vejle Kommune.
According to the proposal, Aarhus Kommune has around 3,800 allotment gardens spread across 42 allotment garden associations and areas. Venstre points out that over a number of years illegal construction beyond applicable rules has been erected in a range of areas, and that gardens in several cases are used for year-round occupation — a development the party wants brought to an end, while also finding a comprehensive and realistic solution to existing conditions.
Kolonihaveforbundets Aarhuskreds, represented by chair Randi Østergaard and vice-chair Søren Larsen, wrote in an open letter that they oppose overbuilding and year-round occupation, but that the public screening in their view is flawed. The district reports that it has itself begun examining 814 garden plots from the screening list in cooperation with member associations.
Figures and facts
- Around 3,800 allotment gardens spread across 42 allotment garden associations and areas in Aarhus Kommune (Appendix — Decision proposal V 07.09.2026).
- Gert Bjerregaard (V) stated in the chamber that Technical Affairs and Environment has documented that approximately 900 allotment garden plots are overbuilt (Appendix — City council debate 23.09.2026).
- Kolonihaveforbundets Aarhuskreds is examining 814 garden plots from the administration's screening list; of those reviewed, 178 according to the district are not overbuilt, while 557 still remain to be inspected (Appendix — Statement of opinion Kolonihaveforbundets Aarhuskreds (dated 22.09.2026)).
- Aarhuskredsen reports that it is cooperating with the municipality on an action plan for all its 3,400 garden plots in 32 member associations, and at the same time mentions 10 associations outside the district (Appendix — Statement of opinion Kolonihaveforbundets Aarhuskreds (dated 22.09.2026)).
- Kristian Sommer (S) noted that Vejle spent three years making 10 lokalplaner for around 1,000 gardens, while Aarhus has around 4,000 gardens (Appendix — City council debate 23.09.2026).
- Nicolaj Bang (KF) reported that more than 100 allotment garden owners have appealed a case against Vejle Kommune to the High Court to have the municipality's lokalplaner ruled illegal or invalid (Appendix — City council debate 23.09.2026).
Who said what
Rådmand (alderman) Nicolaj Bang (KF) acknowledged the intentions to keep the allotment gardens as green, recreational areas and mentioned ongoing meetings with garden associations as well as work on lease contracts intended to curb overbuilding and prevent resale of overbuilt plots. He found the Vejle model resource-intensive and insufficient, among other things regarding year-round occupation, recommended waiting for the High Court case and better legislation, and for the time being recommended rejecting Venstre's proposal — with a pledge to return when the frameworks are clearer.
Gert Bjerregaard (V) maintained that changing city councils and rådmænd have turned a blind eye to oversized houses and year-round occupation, and that the Vejle model with new lokalplaner, clear rules and systematic surveying is the way forward. He called the approximately 900 overbuilt plots a serious matter and demanded action rather than further studies.
Kristian Sommer (S) stressed that the Social Democrats do not defend illegal conditions, but wanted magistrat processing of three questions: whether the nearly 900 plots are genuinely overbuilt (with reference to Aarhuskredsen's screening), what a Vejle model would cost in resources in Aarhus, and whether the municipality even has the right tools yet.
What happens next
The Magistrate Department for Technical Affairs and Environment must prepare a recommendation on the proposal. The case must then be returned to the byråd via the magistrat.
Sources
Transcript
Transcript of the council debate with speakers named, from the official signed record.