Norway's Voss municipality has voted to expropriate a vast 2,300-dekar area, rejecting a negotiated settlement in a decades-long conflict. The municipal council's 22-21 vote against a 'friendly agreement' with landowners on the Bømoen plateau ends years of negotiation and triggers a state seizure process for the land famous for hosting Extreme Sports Week and the TV series 'Kompani Lauritzen'.
The Vote That Divided a Council
The decision followed a tense council meeting where a narrow majority forged a new path. Initially, the council was presented with two options: accept a new settlement granting landowners 321 dekar for commercial development or proceed with expropriation. Mayor Tonje Såkvitne had publicly argued it was time to accept the settlement to secure activity in the area. However, when the vote was called, 22 representatives voted against the settlement, defeating it by a single vote. Immediately after, a motion for expropriation passed 23-20.
From Settlement to Seizure
Mayor Såkvitne notably changed her position following the initial vote. 'When the friendly agreement fell, it is important that I as mayor stand behind the majority in the municipal council,' Såkvitne stated. 'I signal that I will participate in following up the process going forward.' This shift solidified the council's direction. The decision mandates the municipal administration to prepare a new case for the expropriation of the sports area and access road, slated for treatment on March 26, 2026.
A Long-Running Battle for Bømoen
The conflict centers on the future of the sprawling Bømoen area, equivalent to roughly 320 soccer fields. The land, owned by two local entrepreneur firms through Bømoen AS, has been a flashpoint for years. The company's plan reserved over 70 percent of the area for forest and outdoor recreation. The dispute erupted over the remaining portion. Bømoen AS sought to develop business zones, a campsite, and utilize groundwater for energy on the site.
Opponents, including outdoor recreation groups and air sports enthusiasts, feared the permanent destruction of a cherished natural and sporting arena. A regulatory plan passed in autumn 2024 had already significantly reduced the commercial area from original proposals, setting aside 210 dekar. The landowners complained about that decision. The rejected settlement would have increased the commercial zone to 321 dekar, which sparked the strong reactions leading to the recent vote.
What Expropriation Means for Voss
The choice for expropriation over negotiation is a significant escalation. It involves the municipal government using its legal authority to compulsory purchase the land for public interest, specifically cited here as securing the sports and access areas. This process is typically lengthier, more legally complex, and can involve compensation disputes. The council's instruction to prepare the case for 2026 indicates a procedural marathon ahead, not an immediate takeover. It effectively resets the timeline and approach to managing the valuable plateau.
The Community and Economic Crossroads
The Bømoen issue has deeply split the local community in Voss. On one side are arguments for controlled commercial development, bringing business and energy projects to utilize private assets. On the other is a powerful public sentiment to preserve large, contiguous areas for the outdoor lifestyle and major events like Extreme Sports Week that define the region's identity. The council's razor-thin votes reflect this deep division. The move to expropriate suggests the council's majority now believes public control is the only way to permanently resolve the conflict and preserve the land's character as they define it.