Network operator refuses gas home connection - Is this legitimate?

If there is an existing line in the immediate vicinity, you could possibly still ask if they would connect you to it at your own expense. However, that will be an expensive affair. Otherwise, I only see a chance if you first find a number X of neighbors who would also commit to booking a connection, so that it makes sense for the provider.

Gas is available in the town center. In the new development area with approximately 80 building plots (spread over several construction phases), there is no gas.

People. Don't complain. Even if it feels like 8 out of 10 houses here in the forum are built with air-to-water heat pumps or geothermal energy, then gas simply won't be installed anymore. It's not worth it. Your own fault. Gas is pumped away.

Gas was installed at our place. To my knowledge, however, it is used by very few. (We use it). The operator apparently waives the dismantling and the "infamous" dismantling costs for those who do not take it. That, of course, makes it even easier to put the blower fridge (uh, I mean air-to-water heat pump) in the garden.

The German political lobby considers it important to reclassify gas: from an energy source to an object of dependence on the evil "Ivan" Putin.

Gas is only installed in closed old villages if people want to switch from oil to gas.

Experienced this at my sister's. The village subsidizes something, the old houses have to replace their oil boiler anyway and switch to gas.

Otherwise free market economy, the provider also has to maintain the line. and if only 2 houses are connected, it is not profitable.