Bats that need to be protected are often the reason why construction projects stall. To the delight of the Ministry of Social Affairs, this does not apply to the ex-prison in Heidelberg. It sees another hurdle to the modernization of the "Lazy Fur" cleared.
Heidelberg (dpa / lsw) - In the dispute over the use of the former "Fauler Pelz" prison in Heidelberg, from the state's point of view, all the conditions for its use for the correctional system have been met. A spokesman for the Ministry of Social Affairs told the German Press Agency in Stuttgart that the Heidelberg building authority must now quickly deal with the state's application to set up 80 places in the building for the treatment of alcoholic offenders.
A required expertise came to the conclusion that no bats lived in the old walls. "Even if there were any, they would not have been endangered by the construction work according to the preliminary assessment under species protection law," he added.
In addition, the city was accommodated when it came to the question of car parking spaces, although the number of eleven spaces required was completely unfounded. "On a voluntary basis, we have complied with this request - apparently important for the city - and have modified our parking space verification accordingly," the spokesman continued. The city wants to hand over the state-owned building in the middle of the old town to the university.
Since the psychiatric centers, where drug addicts and the mentally ill are treated, are overcrowded, the country is urgently looking for alternatives until new buildings and extensions are finished. This is also intended to prevent criminals from being released prematurely due to a lack of space. Heidelberg plans to open the building for the university in 2025. In view of the planned investments of eleven million euros, the city fears that the temporary solution could become permanent accommodation.
The Heidelberg municipal council had decided to postpone the building application for a year. However, this plan was thwarted by the influence of the regional council in Karlsruhe. Social Affairs Minister Manne Lucha (Güne) had accused the building law office of "harassment". This constantly places new demands on the building application of the ministry. From the perspective of the town hall, it is "everyday business" to check whether bats have nested in the complex.
