The Brühl Climate Alliance and the chair of the Rhein-Erft Nature Conservation Advisory Board are voicing sharp criticism of Phantasialand's expansion plans. Spokesperson Stephan Stübner warns that many citizens are unaware of the risks, including flooding due to soil sealing. The theme park, however, emphasizes the need for growth to create new jobs and maintain competitiveness. The debate over the Phantasialand expansion is intensifying.
Resistance from the Brühl Climate Alliance
The Brühl Climate Alliance plans to continue its resistance against the expansion of Phantasialand. Spokesperson Stephan Stübner explains that numerous citizens underestimate the potential risks of an expansion. The coalition of clubs, initiatives, and citizens sees it as its duty to inform the public. “Many citizens do not know what risks an expansion would bring upon them,” he emphasizes.
Dangers from Expansion and Soil Sealing
The Climate Alliance highlights the dangers of an expansion, particularly additional noise and traffic. Stephan Stübner draws attention to the risks of soil sealing. In heavy rain, water would flow down from the Ville Ridge, and the streams could not absorb the masses of water, which could lead to flooding in residential areas. As an example, Stübner cites the bus parking lot of 1.5 hectares built some time ago, which already causes problems for residents in Eckdorf during heavy rain. Previously, a small forest there had retained the water, but the city sees no need for action. Stübner stresses that the alliance appreciates the park itself but rejects the destruction of a biotope. “We like Phantasialand, but not the destruction of a biotope,” he says.
Activities for Awareness
In recent months, the alliance has conducted nine guided walks to the expansion area around the duck pond, which is partially under nature protection. It also organized a panel discussion on climate policy, which received a great response.
Legal Aspects and Expectations
The Climate Alliance does not plan to file a lawsuit against the expansion, as it is not a registered association and cannot collect funds for it. However, Stübner expects that other groups will take this step.
Criticism from the Nature Conservation Advisory Board
Uwe Schölmerich, chair of the Rhein-Erft Nature Conservation Advisory Board, also criticizes the plans. The board voted unanimously against them. The attempt to change the regional plan last year failed. The state planning still provides for the expansion area, based on a compromise more than ten years ago between authorities, stakeholders, politicians, and Phantasialand. Schölmerich argues that climate and environmental protection have gained importance since then. As the retired longtime head of the Regional Forestry Office Rhein-Sieg-Erft, he points out the high value of the nature reserve. Around the duck pond, a valuable reclaimed forest with a partly 80-year-old beech stand has grown.
Protection of the Forest and Compensation Areas
Even if compensation areas are created, it is uncertain whether the same species would settle there. Schölmerich advocates protecting every hectare of forest because it cools and retains rainwater. “We should protect every hectare of forest that cools and retains rainwater,” he says. He notes that the theme park has performed well even without new areas.
Position of Phantasialand
Phantasialand officials do not share these concerns. They warn that without expansion, the park would fall behind in competition with other theme parks. To secure the site's long-term viability, annual visitor numbers must be increased and the proportion of overnight guests raised. This requires special offers, which in turn need additional space. The park announces the creation of more than 800 additional jobs in the event of an expansion. In addition, flood protection would be discussed in the building plan approval process.
