Land Management Department: Over 70 land plots in the Vitebsk region transferred to private ownership with reduced coefficients

Over 70 land plots in the Vitebsk region have been transferred to private ownership using reduced rates. This was reported by the land management department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

"In total, from September 1 last year to May 11 this year, 74 land plots with an area of over 9.5 hectares were transferred to private ownership in the Vitebsk region using reduced rates. Citizens and legal entities paid over Br120 thousand for the procedure in total," the department explained.

The Vitebsk, Polotsk, and Braslav districts are most active in acquiring land plots into private ownership. "These are regions with beautiful natural conditions," specialists explain. "At the same time, the Miory district has no worse conditions, but we see significantly less initiative from people there. The same can be said about the Gorodok (and this area is also rich in lakes), Lepel, and Postavy districts."

Belarusians were granted this right – to purchase plots at a preferential price – 20 years ago. Today, this option has been revived, but the offer is not indefinite; it is valid until September 1, 2025. A similar period is set for gardeners who wish to legalise their existing plots based on actual use. "The uniqueness of the case lies in the fact that actual use practically never corresponds to the previously developed and approved projects of organisations and development of territories of horticultural associations. Previously, there was a prohibition, and it was impossible to register documents for land plots without making changes to the development project. Today, this prohibition has been lifted. The legislator has allowed the registration of plots based on actual use without making any changes to the organisation and development project of the territory of a horticultural association. In essence, a citizen has gained the right to save money: there is no need to change the project documentation – the registration takes place according to the actual use, as indicated by the fence," the department stated.

From September 1 last year to May 11, 2023, 27 citizens in the Vitebsk region took advantage of this right. Approximately 70% of the plots were registered previously. All stages of the procedure take up to 1.5 months.

Over 140 applications have been received from individuals and legal entities for the provision of additional land plots. This concerns the legalisation of illegally occupied land plots on which parts of unauthorised constructions or structures are located. Individuals have paid over Br34 thousand for the procedures, and legal entities have paid over Br37.3 thousand. Residents of Polotsk and Postavy districts are the most active. "The number of applicants is small, considering that approximately 11 thousand cases of illegal land occupation have been identified. Perhaps not everyone has been notified yet, as the volume is large. However, in these cases, a person is certainly aware that their permanent structure is not within the boundaries of the plot allocated to them, as a rule, these are clusters of buildings. And regarding all these permanent structures that are currently illegally located on the lands of populated areas, the legislator provides an opportunity to apply for legalisation – to formalise the documents for this construction. And this right is limited to a three-year period. After September 1, 2025, a decision on demolition will be subject to adoption concerning unauthorised constructions," the department added.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by