Orbicon I Leif Hansen has just finalised the acquisition af 316 ha of agricultural land for an afforestation project near Odense, the third largest city in Denmark. The afforestation project is the to date largest project of its kind in Denmark implemented through land consolidation.
VandCenter Syd, municipality owned company responsible for the supply of drinking water in Odense City, the Ministry of Environment og Odense Municipality has since 2001 cooperated on a public afforestation project in a 650 ha area west of Odense City. There are in the area important ground water resources that supply the city with drinking water. Afforestation will permanently secure the groundwater from pollution from intensive farming. During 2001-2006 in total 50 ha was purchased from local farmers. In autumn 2008, the partners behind the project decided that it was time to try to enlarge the afforestated area.
Preliminary investigation in dialog with the landowners and farmers
Orbicon I Leif Hansen has as consultant for VandCenter Syd been responsible for negotiations with landowners and farmer in the projet area. In the winter2008/09, all landowners were interviewed about their interest in the afforestation project and willingness to sell or exchange their land parcels in the project area. 58 landowners were interviewed and opportunities discussed. The result was positive and it was the assessment that it would be possible to purchase around 200 ha in the area during 2009. The land consolidation project is presented to the Land Commission and landowners for approval at public meeting on. 26February 2010.
Land consolidation project
It was after the landowner interviews decided to handle the axquisition of agricultural lands in the area through the implementation of a land consolidation project. The reason for this was that some of the landowners wanted other lands in exchange for their agricultural land in the project area.
In total 24 landowners participate in the land consolidation project and 254 ha change owner. 204 ha are purchased for afforestation. The land consolidation project was approved by the Land Commission at a public meeting on 26 January 2010. At the first of February 2010, the participating land parcels change owner.
Additional acquisition of three farms with buildings. Besides the purchase of 204 ha through the land consolidation project, additional farms (including land and farm buildings) with in total 112 ha have been bought through normal transaction procedures. Thus, a total of 316 ha has been purchased for ground water protection through afforestation during 2009 and beginning of 2010. The maps shows the project area and purchased areas.
