Hotel in mountain paradise? Residents protest, investors reason
The residents of Jaworki, the village where the Biała Woda Wildlife Reserve is located, are collecting signatures on a petition to the mayor. They do not agree with the plans to build a hotel in the reserve.
The Biała Woda Wildlife Reserve was established in the Pieniny Mountains in 1963. It lies at the foot of a rocky gorge, offering a scenic and easy-to-walk trail that is accessible to both families with children and people with limited mobility. The atmosphere here is peaceful, a contrast to the crowded route leading towards the Trzy Korony summit.
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Jaworki residents protest
The investment plan, submitted to the Szczawnica Municipality, envisages the construction of a guesthouse that can accommodate up to 30 people, a restaurant, an underground car park and utility facilities. The construction project area is located outside of the Pieniny National Park and is subject to a local zoning scheme.
The residents of Jaworki do not agree with plans to change the character of the area. They have asked the mayor of Szczawnica to introduce changes to the zoning scheme that will make it impossible to continue with the project. The Regional Directorate for Environmental Protection (Polish: Regionalna Dyrekcja Ochrony Środowiska) in Krakow was also asked to issue a negative opinion on the environmental impact of the project.
Investors explain their plans
As reported by the wiesicigor.pl website, the investors are surprised and saddened by these reactions. They explain that there are already buildings located on the land they own, which will be renovated and extended, so the project is a revitalisation, not a devastation of a pristine area. They also claim that it is in the buffer zone, and not "in the heart" of the wildlife reserve.
The investors also emphasise that they operate in the business of providing psychological and psychotherapeutic therapy for children, adolescents and adults. They organise outpatient therapy in, as of yet, rented facilities. It is strictly this type of service, they assure the protesters, that they planned and still plan to run on the property once it has been revitalised.
The investors also explain that a planned complementary service is to provide catering for therapy participants, and that involves the construction of a restaurant. It is intended to be a lively place, open to outside visitors and supporting the financing of the facility.
Source: zakopane.wyborcza.pl
