Scandal on Timmendorfer Strand: dozens of violations of dune protection!

Scandal on Timmendorfer Strand: dozens of violations of dune protection!

Niendorf, Deutschland - In November 2023, the Lower Nature Conservation Authority (unb) of the Ostholstein district carried out a control on the beach of Niendorf and Timmendorfer Strand. A total of 18 violations were found, which mainly affected dune protection. The violations found include the presence of showers on the beach and the unmounted reef bar (beach lounge) on the outdoor beach of Niendorf. This reef bar only showed a stack of Kanthölzer and a wooden floor. Twelve violations were identified in the beach lounge alone, including the unauthorized presence of the bar and embedded iron piles along the dune base.

On March 31, 2024, the BEACH lounge approved under certain changes, which enables the company by the end of 2028. However, the operator of the beach lounge and the municipality of Timmendorfer Strand do not comment on future plans. Furthermore, violations of dune protection, such as stopping beach chair rental houses on concrete slabs and laying cables and hoses through the dunes, were found. Unb referred to the fact that this violations can have serious effects on the protected biotope dune.

consequences of violations and current measures

The UN has issued orders to remedy several objects, including the beach lounge and an incorporated trash can. The municipality of Timmendorfer Strand was given the opportunity to comment on these orders until January 24, 2024. However, the district of Ostholstein and the municipality do not show any information about the current status of implementing these orders. The NEW controls compliance with the regulations on special occasions and assumes that the municipalities act independently. The topic of beach lounge and the violations were also discussed in a non-public meeting in the Timmendorf tourism committee.

biotopes in the region, like the dunes, are essential habitats for wild animals and plants that are under certain legal protection. According to the information from Timmendorfer Strand, changes and interventions in the biotopes are not permitted without express approval and can lead to legal consequences. Unkinding about protected biotopes can lead to illegal damage, and the cause is obliged to restore the original condition.