There had been long debates about the future of the 180-year-old forester's lodge in Valepp behind Lake Tegernsee. Now it is clear who is allowed to use the currently orphaned building. Among them is an FC Bayern star.
Munich (dpa/lby) - National goalkeeper Manuel Neuer and Tegernsee restaurateur Johannes Rabl are allowed to take over the historic forester's house Valepp in the Bavarian Alps and revive it as a restaurant. On Tuesday, the budget committee of the state parliament approved the award of the property in the district of Miesbach via heritable building rights to the two investors. The Bavarian State Forests remain the owners.
The building with more than 6600 square meters of land has been empty since 2014. Long attempts had been made to find a tenant, but without success. Therefore, it was ultimately decided to award the property via heritable building rights - i.e. in the long term with more planning security. Numerous applicants responded to an invitation to tender, and the concept from Rabl and Neuer ultimately prevailed.
The leasehold contract, which is set to run for 99 years, stipulates strict criteria for future operation. This is to ensure, for example, that it does not become a noble luxury resort. As part of the procedure in the state parliament, further details were recently regulated, such as that there may only be a small sauna in addition to twelve rooms for overnight stays. At least one warm dish plus drink must be offered for a maximum of 14.90 euros. In addition, there may only be a limited number of parking spaces, namely a maximum of 34, and access must be strictly regulated. In winter, access should only be possible by shuttle. This ensures that things run the way the state parliament wanted, said CSU MP Ernst Weidenbusch.
Homeland and nature conservation associations had petitioned the state parliament against the award of the property to private investors. Speakers from several groups argued at the committee meeting that, given the high investment costs, it would probably not have been possible to renovate the property and use it again in any other way.
"The award of the former forester's house as a long-term lease offers the opportunity to revitalize the long-vacant building as a restaurant and meeting place," said the chairman of the budget committee, Josef Zellmeier (CSU). He emphasized: "The renovation saves the building, which is deeply rooted in the region, from further decay and ensures its long-term preservation." A year-round operation as a restaurant offers hikers, cyclists and mountaineers a good opportunity to stop, he said.
Rabl had explained that the reopening of the 180-year-old forester's house was not a "business case" for Neuer and him. "It's an affair of the heart for us." In the sensitive natural area, it cannot be about maximizing profits. Manuel Neuer sees the region as his home. "He wants to make his contribution there," said Rabl.
