Inspectorate: Construction and entrance fee collection in Vintgar are illegal.
The Gorje Tourist Association must remove the illegally built steel bridges and sanitary facility at the entrance to the Vintgar gorge by April 2026. The building inspectorate has determined that the structures were erected without proper permits, although the association claims they are simple structures and reconstruction in accordance with the 2023 decree, reports the Necenzurirano portal.
The Gorje Tourist Association must demolish the illegally built structures it erected at the entrance to the Blejski Vintgar, one of the largest natural attractions in Gorenjska, as evident from the decision of the state building inspectorate, which the Necenzurirano.si portal obtained under the law on access to public information.
According to the decision, the association carried out the addition of two steel bridges to the existing log cabin at the entrance to the gorge without a building permit, and also built a sanitary facility with a canopy. In response to allegations of illegal works, it defended itself by saying it was only a minor reconstruction of the entrance point in accordance with the minister's 2023 decree on restrictions for visiting Vintgar, and that the bridges are simple structures for nature observation that do not require a building permit. The sanitary facility has allegedly been there since 1985, and the association has only begun the legalization process.
Non-compliance with the decision
The Inspectorate for Natural Resources and Mining already prohibited the association from charging entrance fees in May 2024, as it lacks a concession or other legal basis for managing the gorge. Despite the decision received more than 160 days ago, it continues to collect the entrance fee, which has increased to 15 euros this year, writes Necenzurirano.
The association, led by former general director of UKC Ljubljana and health minister in Janša's government Janez Poklukar, reportedly generated 3.6 million euros in revenue and 425 thousand euros in profit last year, and at the end of last year had 1.25 million euros in its bank account and another 1.3 million euros in deposits. However, the association now faces the loss of control over Vintgar. The Triglav National Park public institute announced a tender for a new manager in the summer, where the Municipality of Gorje submitted the most favorable bid.
Poklukar, now a member of Vladimir Prebilič's new party, claims he is the target of political attacks because he wanted to act professionally and resolve matters. In a video before the party's founding congress, he announced that he will no longer retreat and intends to stand up to humiliation, discreditation, and societal breakdown.
Source:
https://siol.net/novice/slovenija/inspektorat-gradnja-in-pobiranje-vstopnine-v-vintgarju-je-nezakonita-675827