Karlsruhe (dpa/lsw) - In the dispute over an insect-friendly plot of land with stone walls and raised beds, the city of Karlsruhe gives in and approaches the tenant, a Karlsruhe beekeeper. "We are waiving the specified dismantling requirement in order to allow time for a joint solution," said a city spokesman on Tuesday after a conversation. The city recognizes and supports the valuable work of beekeeper Marc La Fontaine in protecting species and insects. However, the authorities' hands are tied, since the property is subject to the rules of landscape protection.
For months, La Fontaine was at odds with the authorities for building mound beds and dry stone walls on the leased property for bees and lizards, for example. The property office then asked him to dismantle the idyllic walls and beds, which were about half a meter high and teeming with insects and other small animals. The sticking point was that the property is located in a landscape conservation area. Special rules apply to this. These prohibit, for example, impermissible changes to the area.
The beekeeper had vehemently resisted the dismantling and was also backed by conservationists. After the conversation, he said he was satisfied. It was very friendly and constructive, he said. We will now work out a compromise together.
According to the spokesman, the city also wants to look for other locations "in order to enable Mr. La Fontaine's valuable work to be carried out on other areas without the legal restrictions of landscape protection". A solution should be available by the end of the year.
