Miory Regional Executive Committee

More than 70 land plots in the Vitebsk Region have been transferred into private ownership with the application of reducing coefficients. This was reported by the Land Management Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee.

"In total, during the period from September 1 of last year to May 11 of this year, 74 land plots with a total area of more than 9.5 hectares were transferred into private ownership in the Vitebsk Region with the application of reducing coefficients. Citizens and legal entities paid a total of more than Br120 thousand for the procedure," the department explained.

Land plots are being acquired into private ownership most actively in the territories of the Vitebsk, Polotsk, and Braslaw districts. "These are regions with favorable natural conditions," specialists explain. "At the same time, the Miory district also offers comparable conditions, but there we observe significantly less public initiative. The same applies to the Gorodok (which is also rich in lakes), Lepel, and Postavy districts."

This right — to purchase plots at a preferential price — was granted to Belarusians 20 years ago. Today, this option has been reinstated; however, the offer is not indefinite — it remains valid until September 1, 2025. An identical period has been established for dacha owners who wish to legalize existing plots based on actual use. "The uniqueness of the situation lies in the fact that actual use practically never corresponds anymore to the previously developed and approved projects of organizations and the development of gardening cooperative territories. Previously, there was a prohibition making it impossible to prepare documentation for land plots without introducing changes into the development project. Today, such a prohibition has been lifted. Legislation has permitted the registration of plots based on actual use without introducing any changes into the project for the organization and development of gardening cooperative territories. In essence, citizens have gained the right to save funds: there is no need to alter the design documentation — if a fence stands according to actual use, the registration will proceed accordingly," the department stated.

From September 1 of last year to May 11, 2023, 27 citizens have utilized this right in the Vitebsk Region. Approximately 70% of the plots were formalized earlier. All stages of the procedure take up to 1.5 months.

More than 140 applications have been received from individuals and legal entities for the granting of additional land plots. This concerns the legalization of land plots occupied without authorization, on which parts of unauthorized structures or buildings are located. Individuals have paid more than Br34 thousand for the procedures, while legal entities have paid over Br37.3 thousand. Residents of the Polotsk and Postavy districts demonstrate the highest activity. "The number of applicants is relatively low given that approximately 11,000 cases of unauthorized occupation of territories have been identified. It is possible that notifications have not yet been sent to everyone due to the large volume. However, in such cases, the individual certainly knows that their permanent structure is located outside the boundaries of the plot allocated to them; typically, these are clusters of buildings. Regarding all these permanent structures that are currently situated without authorization on settlement lands, the legislation provides the opportunity to apply for legalization – to formalize documentation for such a structure. This right is subject to a three-year limitation period. After September 1, 2025, a decision on the demolition of unauthorized structures shall be made," the department added.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by