Residents living near a new ammunition factory in Elling, Denmark could receive compensation for property value losses. The factory will produce grenades and cartridges for the Danish military.
Defense Minister Troels Lund Poulsen confirmed the compensation possibility during a town hall meeting about the facility. Nearby homeowners within the security zone may face restrictions on how they can use their properties.
Per Pugholm Olsen, director of the Defense Ministry's Material and Procurement Agency, explained the process. An independent assessment will determine if properties lose value due to the factory's presence. Homeowners would then receive compensation for any documented losses.
Residents must wait until November 24 for concrete answers about compensation amounts. Another meeting with defense officials is scheduled for that date.
The factory will operate within three security zones with different restrictions. Zone 1 prohibits public roads, harbors, and railways. Zone 2 bans private homes and buildings where unauthorized people might gather. Zone 3 excludes hospitals, schools, kindergartens, high-rises, and assembly halls.
Leif Thomsen, one affected neighbor, expressed serious concerns about living near the facility. He worries about potential sabotage, accidents, and property value declines. Thomsen wants the military to purchase his home outright rather than accept compensation.
He noted that compensation offers little comfort if accidents actually occur. The Defense Minister confirmed only four properties will be acquired by the military, while others might receive compensation.
This situation highlights the tension between national security needs and residential neighborhood concerns. The planned 2027 production start gives residents limited time to make decisions about their homes.
Local homeowners now face difficult choices between accepting compensation or attempting to sell in a potentially declining market.