1. FC Köln’s plan to expand the Geißbockheim training complex faces another legal step. The Bürgerinitiative Grüngürtel has lodged a complaint after North Rhine-Westphalia’s Higher Administrative Court approved the development plans in August.
Challenge moves towards federal court
- More than four years ago, the Higher Administrative Court of North Rhine-Westphalia rejected the relevant development plan.
- The Federal Administrative Court later overturned that ruling.
- In 2022, the dispute returned to the Higher Administrative Court.
- In August, the court ruled that Köln could proceed with its proposed expansion, including construction within the city’s green belt, and found the planning documents valid.
- The Bürgerinitiative Grüngürtel, one of two claimants, has now filed its complaint within the deadline.
- The group must submit its detailed reasoning over the next four weeks. It wants the case heard by the Federal Administrative Court.
Training pitches and green-belt concerns
Köln intend to add facilities to their sporting site at the Geißbockheim in Sülz. The project includes new training pitches for the club.
As compensation, four small-sided public pitches are planned on the Gleueler Wiese in Cologne’s green belt. Conservation campaigners oppose the proposal, citing the full sealing of ground and the loss of public green space protected for both landscape and heritage reasons.
