The working environment in Robertsfors with traditions from the 18th century was classified as a national interest in 1987. In recent years, the national interest has expanded and now includes areas such as Brännan and Lillberget with their houses from the 1970s and 80s.

- I like that the old utility area from the 18th century is classified as a national interest, but in the area where I live it is a house from the seventies and it may not be as worthy of preservation, says Regitze Krenchel who lives near Lillberget.

Name collection in progress

In the Brännan area where Mikael Widlöf lives, it is just as upset.

He has started a name collection on social media to try to get a change.

- I do not know if there will be any result, but it is at least a protest.

I think it is deplorable that I am not even allowed to choose what color I want on the house or which windows or which front door I want to put there, says Mikael Widlöf.

- The community is developing and there are large investments underway in this area and in the northern part of the county and we want people to have the opportunity to move here and build their houses here.

But it becomes impossible when the state through the county administrative board has decided that it should be in the national interest, which means restrictions at the level of detail in construction.

It will be like a wet blanket over the entire development, says Patrik Nilsson (S) who is a municipal councilor in Robertsfors.

"Is unique"

The county antiquarian Ulf Lindberg is responsible for the decision at the county administrative board.

- Robertsfors is unique in that all timelines from the 18th century to the 1970s are reflected in society and this means that there is a great cultural-historical value and has been assessed as a national interest.

Then it is the Planning and Building Act that governs it all and even if it was not a national interest in Robertsfors, the Planning and Building Act would have applied.

But in the end, it is still the municipality that applies the law when they give their building permits, says Ulf Lindberg.