Fortidsminneforeningen, a heritage group, criticizes the untested modern preservation method and threatens legal action. According to NRK Vestfold og Telemark, Ola H. Fjeldheim described the building as iconic and feared the work would weaken its cultural heritage value. He also said the method is untested and inappropriate for a medieval building. The group will consider filing a police report under the Cultural Heritage Act if work is not stopped.
Riksantikvaren initially rejected the complaint and approved the work in autumn, but has now paused it for 14 days. According to NRK Vestfold og Telemark, Marianne Louise Nielsen said the pause was due to new information from Fortidsminneforeningen, including new dating results, studies, and old photographs. The chosen solution may be changed after evaluation. The planned work involves removing the outer roof and adding a larger suspended roof and a covered walkway.
It is not something that is common, but because Fortidsminneforeningen points to new information, we think it is sensible to take a step back and assess whether this is of significant value to the case.
It can potentially [be changed], but that will only be decided when we know more about this new information. We cannot pre-empt that right now.