Hensynssone

A hensynssone (a zone requiring special consideration) is an area marked in a land use plan where a specific concern must be taken into account during use and development. The zone is legally binding and does not override the land use purpose itself. For developers, mapping these zones early in the acquisition process is decisive: a zone for landslides or cultural heritage can stop a project, and a zone for coordinated planning can delay it by several years.

The legal basis is plan- og bygningsloven, section 11-8 for the land use element of the municipal master plan and section 12-6 for zoning plans. Section 9 of the map and planning regulations governs the drawing conventions in the SOSI format. The act lists six main types:

• Safety, noise and hazard zones (a). Drinking water sources, airport noise, landslides and avalanches, flooding, high-voltage power lines. Based on public thematic maps from the sector authorities.
• Zones with particular requirements for infrastructure (b). Shared access road, district heating, parking, water and wastewater.
• Zone with a particular concern (c). Agriculture, reindeer husbandry, mineral resources, outdoor recreation, green structure, landscape, or preservation of the natural and cultural environment.
• Restriction zones (d). Time limited, normally four years with the option of a four-year extension, while a decision under special legislation or the plan- og bygningsloven is being prepared (typically a road, railway or conservation plan under consideration).
• Zones for coordinated further planning (e). Require a joint plan before development can start; used for transformation areas or areas with several landowners.
• Zones for continuing older zoning plans (f). Keep the current plan in force even if the municipal master plan is newer.

Each main type has detailed sub-codes under the map and planning regulations: H110 water supply safety zone, H310 landslide and avalanche hazard, H320 flood hazard, H370 high-voltage power lines, H410 yellow noise zone, H510 green structure, H570 preservation of the cultural environment, H730 restriction under special legislation, H910 continuation of an older plan. These are the codes that developers and advisers meet in SOSI data and in the municipality's digital planning register.

Hazard zones are usually based on public thematic maps: flood and landslide awareness maps from NVE, quick clay maps from NGU, cultural heritage data from Riksantikvaren, biodiversity data from Artsdatabanken (the species database), and noise zones along national roads from Statens vegvesen. A zone in the land use element of the municipal master plan must be carried over or made specific in the subsequent zoning plan, otherwise the effect lapses. The zoning plan guide from the Ministry of Local Government and Regional Development provides the national framework for interpretation.

These zones also affect the duty to carry out an impact assessment: measures within certain zones trigger an impact assessment or special case processing. Measures in the shoreline zone, inside the Marka boundary or in LNF areas with cultural heritage zones often require both a dispensation and consultation with state sector authorities.

In Placepoint you see these zones as a map layer on top of the municipal master plan and the zoning plan, with the hatching explained in the zoning plan legend, so that you quickly uncover what applies to a property before you take an acquisition or feasibility study further.

How the dataset appears on the map

The dataset is part of the map layer Property:

From Placepoint's dictionary: Hensynssone

More information: Lovdata: Plan- og bygningsloven, section 11-8, Lovdata: map and planning regulations, The Government: zoning plan guide, Store norske leksikon: hensynssone

English: Zone requiring special consideration (per plan- og bygningsloven).

Frequently asked questions

What is a hensynssone?

A hensynssone is an area marked in a land use plan where specific concerns must be taken into account for use and development. It can cover nature, cultural heritage, outdoor recreation, safety conditions or infrastructure.

Which types of hensynssone exist?

Section 11-8 of the plan- og bygningsloven lists six types: safety and noise zones, zones with stated restrictions, restriction zones, zones for infrastructure, outdoor recreation and nature value zones, and zones with a requirement for joint planning.

Are these zones legally binding?

They are legally binding. Measures within the zone must take the stated purpose into account, and the municipality can refuse permission for projects that do not safeguard that concern.

How does such a zone affect development?

These zones can limit development options considerably, in particular zones linked to nature, cultural heritage, flooding, landslides or safety distances. It is critical to map them early in the process.

How do I find these zones on a property?

They appear in the land use element of the municipal master plan and in zoning plans. Placepoint shows them directly in the map interface, which makes it quick to uncover any restrictions on a property.