Unanimous council backs plan for Boden Industrial Park

On Monday, 17 October 2022, a unanimous council approved the zoning plans for both Boden Industrial Park and the infrastructure corridor connecting southern Svartbyn to the industrial area.

The area under review covers 550 hectares—the equivalent of more than 1,000 standard football fields, and larger than the island of Kungsholmen in central Stockholm (391 hectares).

With abundant access to renewable electricity and proximity to existing infrastructure, the site offers unique conditions for land-intensive industries contributing to the green reindustrialisation. It is here that H2 Green Steel is preparing to build the world’s largest hydrogen plant and a green steel mill, which once completed is expected to reduce CO₂ emissions by 95 percent compared with traditional blast furnace steelmaking.

Developing the surrounding area

The zoning plan is among the most extensive in Sweden’s history. The review process has been ongoing for several years, and it has been about a year since the proposal was first presented to the public for consultation.

During consultation and subsequent review, stakeholders had the opportunity to submit comments. Around 200 individuals provided feedback and suggestions.

“It has been great to see such strong engagement in the democratic process. Many questions were raised, but the primary concern was the location of the steel plant. We investigated alternatives, but due to geological conditions and the need for extremely heavy building components to rest on stable ground, the chosen location remains the only viable option,” says Cecilia Kvibacke, Development Manager for Boden Industrial Park.

Throughout the process, Boden Municipality and H2 Green Steel have built networks and forums with local residents and businesses—something seen as valuable for the continued development of the area.

“Finalising the zoning plan is not the end of the project, but rather the start of the next phase. Other planning projects are also underway, including a new in-depth comprehensive plan for northern Svartbyn, Erikslund, and Fagernäs. We want proposals on how these neighbourhoods can become even more attractive places to live, and it’s important to capture the engagement of those already involved,” Kvibacke adds.

Agriculture and aquaculture included

The scale of the zoning plan has been a new challenge for the municipality’s planning department—not only due to its size but also because of its focus on large-scale industrial development, a type not previously planned for in Boden.

“It has been time-consuming, but also highly instructive. One lesson we will carry into future planning is the value of dialogue and forums with those directly affected. This has brought us closer to the community, and that’s how we want to continue working with Boden’s development,” says Kvibacke.

In addition to industrial activities, the plan designates land for cultivation and related facilities. This includes plant nurseries, greenhouses, agriculture, allotments, and community gardens, as well as associated sales and buildings. Examples could include large-scale greenhouses enabling year-round cultivation, land-based fish farms, or similar activities that contribute to greater local food security.

The plan also allows for the development of office space and a central hub, enabling service facilities, visitor amenities, and restaurants connected both to the surrounding natural areas and the businesses established in the park.

The decision will gain legal force in mid-November, after which building permit applications can be processed.

• A zoning plan regulates the suitability of land and water use in an area and establishes legally binding regulations on how land may be used.
  

• An in-depth comprehensive plan is the municipality’s long-term planning tool, indicating priorities for land and water use. It addresses questions such as which areas should be preserved, developed, or protected, as well as environmental risks and how these should be managed.