Denmark’s Ministry of Defence has given the defense company Weibel Scientific A/S permission to keep and expand a test center in Hørsholm, at an address where activity was previously declared unlawful.
DR reports that the decision was communicated in an email from the ministry to Hørsholm Municipality, which the broadcaster has seen. According to the email, the company may expand its test facilities in the North Zealand town, including with a new security fence.
Weibel Scientific is Denmark’s third largest defense company. As reported by DR, the firm had previously been reported to police over unlawful activity at the same address where it now receives approval to expand.
The approval rests on legislation that allows authorities to carry out specific construction projects and operating activities serving essential national defense purposes or essential civil emergency purposes. Per DR, the law was adopted under former defense minister Troels Lund Poulsen of the Liberal Party. Current Defense Minister Jeppe Bruus of the Social Democrats is using it in the Weibel case.
Bruus declined DR’s request for an interview. In an email to the broadcaster, he stated that the assessment is based partly on a finding that no alternative solutions could be identified in the short term.
Neighbors to be consulted
The minister added that he has considerable understanding for the dilemmas such cases create when the wish is also to respect the neighbors living in the area. He stated that he clearly expects Weibel to continue a good dialogue with neighbors. He also expects the company to go far to find solutions that can offset any nuisance from the test facilities.
According to Bruus, the ministry will now draw up an executive order. That order is to be sent out for four weeks of public consultation, where neighbors and other interested parties can submit their views.
Hørsholm Mayor Morten Slotved of the Conservative People’s Party told DR that he respects the ministry’s decision. He said it is important that the neighbors are heard, and that consideration is given to the residents in the area when the test center is developed.
Slotved also said that whether the facility should be located there or not is a matter of foreign policy. As reported by DR, he confirmed that the expansion will go into consultation, and that Hørsholm Municipality will prepare its own consultation response.
The address in question is the site where Weibel Scientific operates its existing test center in Hørsholm. DR notes that neighboring properties overlook the facility. The ministry’s decision allows the company both to retain and to build out its activities there.
