The Ministry of Agriculture, the National Farmland and Forest Fund, and the Municipality of Piran believe that Krog nad Sečovljami is the most suitable location for a new golf course on the Slovenian coast. Golfers are happy the project finally got the go-ahead, but they’re less happy about the terrain. Local farmers, on the other hand, believe that the proposal amounts to a land grab.

The Municipality of Piran has been trying to get the project underway for almost two decades. The Ministry, the Fund, and the Municipality stressed that the site where the golf course could be built has been chosen carefully. State Secretary Tanja Strniša said that the central part of the proposed golf course could be built in Krog, while one third of the course could be built in the nearby valley: “Two thirds of the original site will remain farmland. We also believe that the Municipality of Piran or someone else should buy these farmers an irrigation system to make up for the loss of farmland.”

According to Piran Mayor Peter Bossman, the Municipality of Piran now needs to change the municipal zoning plan: “This is our top priority. If everything goes according to plan, construction of the golf course could be completed in 3 to 4 years.”

Farmers unwilling to give up land for golf course
Farmers and lessees have said that they’re not giving up the land. “They visited and inspected some of the plots of land we leased from the Municipality, but they never told us what they’re planning to do,” said farmer Benjamin Ličer. “This is prime farmland. We’re not giving it up. Prime farmland should not be converted to non-agricultural purposes,” said farmer Vlado Pribac.

The ratio between government and privately owned plots of land is 70 to 30. The Mayor of Piran doesn’t want to order a compulsory purchase; instead, he hopes he can reach an agreement with the farmers. The land will remain leased for agricultural production until construction works begin.
Jasna Preskar, Radio Koper; translated by D. V.