Vermin and stench: Allotment gardeners in Bautzen suffer from manure deposits!

Vermin and stench: Allotment gardeners in Bautzen suffer from manure deposits!

In Bautzen, a pile of chicken manure near the Humboldthain allotment garden is causing a lot of dissatisfaction among garden tenants. Marcel Riedel, one of those affected, complains about an unbearable stench and a plague of flies that has been going on for six weeks now. “This is unbearable!” he says, describing a situation that is not unfamiliar to many of us. The dung heap, about 150 meters from the gardens, not only affected the air quality, but also significantly disrupted the tenants' everyday lives, according to MDR reports that ....

Despite complaints to the authorities, including the district office and the state environmental office, measures to alleviate the situation have so far been rather modest. The pile was pushed together and covered with straw, but that is not enough. The State Environment Agency explains that the temporary storage of manure is permitted under certain conditions in order to relieve the burden on farmers during periods of poor work. But the allotment gardeners find the situation unreasonable and are concerned about the constant supply of fresh manure, which further increases the fly population.

Legal steps and options

The legal options for affected allotment gardeners are diverse. Among other things, a civil claim can be made against the Gnaschwitz agricultural business. “Unfortunately, garden tenants may have to prove that the nuisance is intolerable,” explains one expert. Residents usually have to tolerate a certain amount of smells, for example from keeping animals, but not in such an excessive form as those experienced by allotment gardeners. A written request to eliminate the disruption could be the first step that those affected can take, according to Ask a Lawyer explains that....

To examine the possibility of litigation, it is advisable to document the situation in detail. This includes photos of the dung heap, records of the odor nuisance and perhaps also the impact on your own quality of life. Involving the local building authority could also be a step in the right direction.

A topic that affects many

Odor nuisances like this are a vexing issue in many residential areas, which can have very different causes - from barbecues to chimney smoke to agricultural activities. Although tenancy law says little about specific regulations regarding odor nuisance, sensitive odors can, under certain circumstances, lead to rent reductions or even termination without notice, as on Fachanwalt explains that....

The allotment gardeners in Bautzen are faced with an almost insoluble problem that not only affects their gardens, but also significantly influences their quality of life. It remains to be seen whether the ongoing complaints to the relevant authorities will lead to a permanent solution or whether those affected will have to take action themselves. The issue of odor nuisance is not only a hot topic in Bautzen, but also affects many communities and causes lively discussions among residents.