The Environmental and Natural Resources Appeals Committee yesterday ordered a halt to works at Sindragata 4A, Ísafjörður, which had begun under a building permit dated 26 August 2025 granted by the municipal building officer of Ísafjarðarbær, pending the committee’s review of an appeal.
Residents and property owners at Sindragata 4A and Aðalstræti 8, 10 and 16 in Ísafjörður appealed the 26 August 2025 decision by the municipal building officer to approve building plans on lot No. 4A on Sindragata for a new multi-unit residential building. They requested that the decision be annulled and that works be suspended while the case is before the committee.
The committee has now granted the request to stay the works, but has yet to rule on the principal claim—to invalidate the authorization for the building.
At issue is the lawfulness of the building plans for lot No. 4A on Sindragata, which provide for a three-storey multi-unit building with nine apartments; the lot already contains a three-storey multi-unit building with 13 apartments.
A limited building permit was issued for work packages related to earthworks, foundation construction and underground utilities in the base.
In its decision, the committee states that, based on the materials before it, questions arise regarding the lawfulness of the challenged decision that could affect its validity, and the committee needs time to examine the matter further.
For example, there is doubt as to whether the plans conform to the applicable planning instruments and whether the statutory consultation required by Article 10(2) of Act No. 160/2010 was adequately undertaken. The committee notes that in an earlier decision concerning plans for this lot (Case No. 61/2024), it pointed out that, in light of the policy in the Ísafjarðarbær Municipal Master Plan 2008–2020, there was reason for special consideration in preparing the decision to ensure that the plans align with that policy.
“Having regard to all of the above, it is appropriate to grant the complainants’ request to stay works while this case is under consideration by the committee, and further explanations are awaited from the municipality.”
Source: BB.is
