Thursday February 14th, 2002

Environmentalist and heritage protection groups on Thursday formally complained over a costly plan by Formula One world champion Michael Schumacher to build a family home with riding stables in a tiny Swiss village.

Stiftung Landschaftsschutz Schweiz and Pro Natura St. Gallen-Appenzell in separate filings both said that the million-franc project breached federal, cantonal (state) and municipal zoning rules protecting the landscape.

The opposition throws up a first hurdle for the plan which centres on a wooded hilltop in rural Wolfhalden in eastern Switzerland housing a farm and shed, which Schumacher aims to replace with a home, fitness and pool facilities and stables.

The two groups said they were willing to discuss the issue with German-born Schumacher who now lives in French-speaking western Switzerland, but wants to move to the Germanophone end of the country to give his two children an education in German.

Schumacher's lawyer Peter Muench declined to comment on the complaints over the building plans in what is now an agricultural zone, but told Reuters that Schumacher was keen on the project and willing to talk to the opponents in person.

The Schumachers picked the location not only with a view to German-language schooling, but also because it is close to Altenrhein airport near the Swiss-Austrian border, allowing Ferrari's top driver to jet to trainings and races abroad.

The zoning change is due to be voted on by the local population as early as April 21. Once that is approved, the actual building plans will be published and, if there are objections still, they too could be put to a popular vote.

Mario Pighi, head of the village council of the 1,750 strong community, said that a large majority of Wolfhalden backed Schumacher's development plan for an area of fields, hedges, woods, stone walls and two ponds.