New consultation on Boden Cleantech Center

Boden Cleantech Center is a business and industrial area focused on environmental technology, recycling and waste management. The new planning proposal aims to create the conditions for further development of the area and the establishment of additional businesses.

The detailed development plan covers approximately 125 hectares. When the initial proposal was presented for consultation, the municipality received a large number of comments from nearby residents, public authorities and other stakeholders. Since then, the municipality has reviewed the feedback and carried out additional studies. As a result, the proposal has been revised in several respects.

– We received a great deal of feedback, and we know that there are concerns about what the development of the area could mean. We take those concerns seriously. The feedback has also provided us with a better basis for our continued work and has contributed to changes in the plan. That is why it is important that those affected now have the opportunity to comment on the revised proposal, says Ellinor Isaksson Larsson, Head of Planning and Land Development at Boden Municipality.

New wetland to support water treatment

One of the key issues in the planning process has been how water from the area should be managed. The revised proposal includes several changes to ensure that the detailed development plan meets the environmental requirements relating to water.

Among other measures, an additional wetland has been included. It will help retain and treat water before it flows out of the area.

The municipality has also introduced specified ground levels in the detailed development plan. This means that ground elevations will be regulated to direct water flows and ensure that water can be managed in a controlled manner.

Of the approximately 125 hectares covered by the planning area, around 34 hectares will be designated as natural areas.

– This is a large area, and we need to strike a balance between providing land for the types of activities the area is intended for and taking the necessary consideration of water, nature and the surrounding environment. The revised proposal is the result of extensive work since the previous consultation, says Ellinor Isaksson Larsson.

Soil samples show contamination

Soil sampling has also been carried out as part of the planning process. The results show that contamination is present in parts of the area.

The findings from the sampling have been taken into account in the continued planning process. The revised proposal has been designed with consideration for the identified contamination and describes how it will need to be managed in relation to the proposed land use.

New opportunity to submit comments

The new consultation will run from 21 September to 22 October. During this period, nearby residents, public authorities, organisations and other stakeholders can review the revised planning proposal and submit their comments.

An in-person meeting will also be held at Boden City Hall on 7 October. The meeting will provide an opportunity to learn more about the proposal and ask questions about the detailed development plan.

– A consultation should make a difference. That does not mean that we can accommodate every comment, but we must listen, investigate the issues raised and make changes where there are grounds to do so. We now want to show what has changed and gather feedback on the revised proposal before the process moves forward, says Ellinor Isaksson Larsson.