Shared accommodation may be built in Leipzig

In Leipzig, shared accommodation for around 250 refugees may be built in an industrial estate in the north of the city. An urgent application by neighbors was rejected, the Leipzig Administrative Court announced. Several residents had objected to the planned conversion of the existing buildings on the site in interim legal protection proceedings (Ref.: 4 L 681/24). The city of Leipzig had issued a corresponding building permit in September 2024.

According to the court, the residents argued that a residential-like use was not permitted in a de facto commercial area. They also feared an increased security risk for the surrounding area with a technical college and vocational academy with around 1,000 students. Some of them had a migrant background themselves and could easily become victims of attacks, they argued.

No legal basis for the objections

However, the administrative court did not follow the argument. Shared accommodation for refugees is generally permitted as facilities for social purposes in de facto commercial areas - in particular due to a special regulation in the German Building Code. The surrounding area is characterized by large buildings and businesses that do not cause significant disruption. The character of the area is not impaired by this, it said.

The court was also not convinced by the applicants' safety concerns. Although a possible change in the risk situation had to be taken into account, the incidents cited by the residents did not indicate a specific risk for the planned accommodation, according to the court. The examples referred to other districts of Leipzig and other places in Saxony. In addition, the city of Leipzig had submitted a security concept that provided for special protective measures for the new facility. The proximity to the schools also meant that no other assessment was required.

Next instance remains open

An appeal against the decision can be lodged with the Saxon Higher Administrative Court within two weeks.