FDP Norderney: Gerd, briefly introduce yourself

Gerd Kleemann: My name is Gerd Kleemann, I am 59 years old and was born on Norderney. I completed my studies at Oldenburg University of Applied Sciences and have been a self-employed architect and graduate engineer on the island since 1996. My family has lived on Norderney for several generations; I am married, have two children, a large blended family, and I’m a grandad too. I care deeply about Norderney’s sound development as a home island and holiday island, and that’s what I work for.

FDP Norderney: Gerd, you already know the work on the town council. What experience have you gained there?

Gerd Kleemann: I have been a member of Norderney Town Council for two years. The work on the building committee in particular has shown me that we need to change things in many areas. One example is affordable housing: the town has shown that it can hardly create this economically on its own. With production costs of around €6,000 per square metre, rents of about €25 to €30 per square metre would be required. That’s why we need to pursue other approaches. We need this money far more for the hospital and for expanding infrastructure.

FDP Norderney: Why do you want to continue this work?

Gerd Kleemann: Because there is still a lot to do, especially in building and housing policy. Instead of burdening the town’s finances with ever more new municipal building projects, we should create opportunities for Norderney residents to build up property ownership themselves. One example would be developing a new building area at Booken with around 35 semi-detached and terraced houses. Similar models have already worked in the past at the Reede, at Alter Horst, etc. Today we also have the know-how to prevent conversion into pure speculative objects—more targeted and more sensible than blanket bans on holiday apartments. The rental flats freed up would then be available to the market again.

FDP Norderney: What is particularly important to you in building policy?

Gerd Kleemann: Building is not a privilege that politics or the administration can grant at will. Anyone who meets the legal requirements is entitled to approval—a building application is not a petition. At the same time, we are seeing ever-increasing regulation. When I completed my diploma, there were around 5,000 building-law regulations; today there are more than 20,000. On Norderney in particular, new rules are constantly being added. We should therefore examine carefully which requirements are truly necessary and sensible.

FDP Norderney: What problems do you see in the current development?

Gerd Kleemann: New bylaws, differing approval situations and court decisions have led to considerable uncertainty. Many owners no longer know what use is actually permitted, what grandfathering existing approvals have, or what changes to their building are still possible. This uncertainty cuts deep into the individual’s property rights. This must stop urgently—we finally need clarity here.

FDP Norderney: What significance do holiday apartments have for Norderney?

Gerd Kleemann: Holiday apartments have been part of Norderney for decades and are an essential component of our economic foundation. They secure income and jobs and, for many Norderney residents, make it possible to finance their property in the first place. At the same time, the entire island benefits from tourism through tax revenues as well as gastronomy, retail, trades and other businesses. Of course we need rules—but they must be understandable, proportionate and legally secure. Lawfully granted approvals and existing rights must not be called into question lightly.

FDP Norderney: How should the town deal with people who want to build and with owners?

Gerd Kleemann: As equals. The administration must advise, explain and make solutions possible. Citizens must not get the feeling that they have to justify their property or their building projects—or even be afraid that they might set something bigger in motion. We need less mistrust and more reliability and support. If there are rules, then the same for everyone.

FDP Norderney: What do you specifically want to achieve on the council?

Gerd Kleemann: I want transparent and equal building policy with clear requirements and swift approval procedures. We must protect Norderney’s special character without preventing necessary development. Rules are part of it, but they must be professionally sound and based on comprehensive baseline research. Facts first, then regulation—not the other way round.

FDP Norderney: Why are you running for the FDP?

Gerd Kleemann: Because the FDP stands for property rights, personal responsibility and reliable rules. Liberal politics does not treat people as petitioners, but as responsible citizens. That is why I want to bring my experience from the council and the building committee to bear again.

FDP Norderney: Your most important message to the women and men of Norderney ?

Gerd Kleemann: On Norderney, everything is connected. The individual bears responsibility for the community—and the community must likewise respect the rights and freedoms of the individual. If we achieve both, we can continue to develop our island together.

NOTICE! To all Norderney residents:

Not every flat used as a holiday apartment is an approved holiday apartment. Not even if it has been used that way for decades. In the worst case, this can lead to orders prohibiting use—and we must prevent that, for us Norderney residents! If a bylaw on misuse of housing is introduced on Norderney, it triggers the EU registration requirement for holiday apartments. This means that only legally approved holiday apartments will even have the possibility of getting such a number. Without it, you can no longer advertise your flat on portals—and we all know that on Norderney around 80% is rented out via Booking.