The construction industry in Switzerland is facing challenges as a result of abusive methods and extortion in building appeals. This has led to an increase in objections and cancellations of construction projects, discouraging investors and building owners from proceeding with their plans. A recent motion by FDP Council of States member Andrea Caroni seeks to address this issue, calling for limiting objections to interests worthy of protection.
The growing number of objections is having a negative impact on construction projects across Switzerland. Appellants can object to any aspect of a project without showing actual impact or relevance, leading to unnecessary delays and hindering progress. In fact, excessive objections are highlighted as one of the main causes for project delays according to a federal action plan against the housing shortage adopted last February.
Many industry players are speaking out against these practices, including Caroni who argues that the current system allows objectors to raise objections that are not legitimate. He suggests a return to pre-2011 legal standards where objection validity was more closely scrutinized. Other proposals aim to amend spatial planning laws to address free objections that impede construction projects, introducing moderate procedural costs for objectors, which would discourage baseless objections.
The goal is to streamline the construction approval process and reduce project delays caused by abusive appeals. The Swiss government recognizes the importance of addressing these issues in order to promote investment and development in the country’s construction industry.
