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An activist from the “Stop Tesla” initiative stands in the morning sun on a tree house in a pine forest near the Tesla Gigafactory Berlin-Brandenburg plant.
© Patrick Pleul/dpa
The majority of residents are against the expansion of the Tesla site near Grünheide.
Now they are receiving support from environmental activists.
Grünheide - After voting against an expansion of the Tesla factory, the residents of Grünheide received support from environmental activists.
Around 80 activists from the “Stop Tesla” initiative occupied a forest near the company's car factory on Thursday night to protest against the planned factory expansion.
The group built tree houses on the approximately 120 hectare area that is to be cleared to expand the site.
Her main concern is protecting the water.
The police were on site and spoke to the protesters.
Occupiers in the forest near the Gigafactory
The activists built around a dozen tree houses in the pine forest that will make way for the expansion of the Tesla factory.
The wooden structures were attached at different heights using large ropes, as a dpa reporter reported.
Activists from the Robin Wood alliance are on site and have attached a wooden platform in one of the treetops under the motto “Forest instead of monster factory” where climbers can linger.
They are calling on Tesla, the municipality, the state and the federal government to do everything they can to stop the expansion and promote a climate-friendly mobility transition.
The occupiers have settled in for a long time.
A field kitchen was set up and signs indicate the occupied area.
According to the reporter, more and more people are arriving in the forest with backpacks.
The mood is peaceful after a frosty night.
The police are on site and are talking to the activists.
The activists have announced that the occupation near the Fangschleuse train station is planned for an indefinite period of time.
Occupiers want to support Tesla critics
By occupying the forest, the initiative also wants to support the vote of the citizens of Grünheide, who voted against the corresponding development plan in a resident survey, as announced.
“Our main concern is the drinking water protection area,” said activist Caro Weber to the German Press Agency.
According to her, environmental activists traveled from all over Germany.
The initiative does not trust that politicians will follow the will of the residents, since the existing plant was already built with special permits.
Part of the Tesla site is located in the drinking water protection area.
Tesla also built its factory using early approvals.
What does Tesla want to build on the expanded area?
The electric car manufacturer wants to build a freight station, warehouses and a company kindergarten in addition to the existing 300-hectare factory site.
To achieve this, more than 100 hectares of forest will be cleared.
Conservationists and citizens' initiatives, among others, are against the expansion.
Tesla sees advantages for the region if the development plan finally comes through.
Freight traffic could be relieved with the works station.
According to the company, it is also about more delivery security with storage space.
A decision on the development plan for expansion is still pending
The company's expansion plans for the car factory were largely rejected by the citizens of Grünheide.
Almost two thirds voted against the plans last week.
The vote is not legally binding, but is considered an important milestone.
The local council still has to approve a development plan.
Critics called for it to be changed.
They see no reason to expand the area.
According to Mayor Arne Christiane, the community representatives will not oppose the citizens' vote.
dpa