Tartu plans golf centre and housing development near Ilmatsalu

ERR reports that Tartu has put on public display a master plan for Ilmatsalu, a small town about 11 kilometres west of central Tartu. The plan proposes a golf community, two artificial lakes and an area of small residential homes on the site of former fish farming ponds.

The 200-hectare planning area extends on both sides of the Ilmatsalu River and also addresses public access to the riverbank.

Indrek Rannik, head of the master planning division at Tartu’s spatial planning department, said the environmental impacts had been studied in detail. The assessment focused particularly on water movement, the functioning of the planned artificial lakes and the existing Ilmatsalu-Paisjärv lake, as well as preserving life in the Ilmatsalu River.

“This is the most sensitive issue for both residents and nature,” Rannik said, adding that the site was a former fish farming area that had become overgrown over the years.

The golf centre will be developed by Tartu Golf, a private limited company registered four months ago.

According to Rannik, the RMK forests surrounding the area are elements of the green network under both the county plan and the city’s master plan. The green network will remain functional, he said, while the golf area will occupy a small part of two properties. The solution has also been coordinated with nature protection authorities.

The planned housing development could double the population of the small town. Rannik said this would require reconstruction of the main street and could finally bring Ilmatsalu its own grocery shop. The school could be expanded if necessary, and a new kindergarten could also be built.

A kindergarten plot has been reserved on the bank of the Ilmatsalu River within the planning area, Rannik said.

Eve Kivilo, an active member of the Ilmatsalu community, said the master plan was currently the main subject of many discussions. She said younger residents may view the plans more positively, while older people were somewhat concerned about the changes.

“We hope the city will find a balance and that the old will not be neglected,” Kivilo said, adding that existing features of the area should not be overshadowed by new opportunities.

The master plan will be presented at a public discussion in the school hall on August 10. It will remain on public display until August 17.