Beersel Care Center Encounters New Opposition from Residents

Beersel ( Eurotoday ) – A fresh objection from local Beersel residents pushed back the schedule for building a new residential care centre. This residential development project originally envisioned for the space behind De Ceder center now faces continuous delays following multiple changes to its designs. 

 Local residents, together with environmental agencies, have fiercely opposed the construction of the new residential care centre in Beersel since the start of the project. This landmark development was originally scheduled as a top-priority construction project for the preceding legislative period until it met considerable resistance from area residents alongside environmental protection agencies.

The plans, which we presented in 2022, had to be adjusted after objections from local residents and the Agency for Nature and Forests,

says Alderman for Heritage, Eddy Deknopper (Lijst Burgemeester).

To meet these objections, we have adjusted the plans. The building will be moved back as much as possible and thanks to a special construction technique, the verge will not be affected during or after construction. The green character along the Grote Baan will thus be largely preserved.

The municipality adapted their initial development framework after residents and environmental groups expressed their worries. The developers shifted the building placement while installing dedicated building solutions to protect Grote Baan’s natural landscape. Public dissatisfaction with the project persists among nearby residents despite the authorities’ revisions.

Alderman Deknopper:

Current building does not meet contemporary standards.

The municipal government has no choice but to wait for the province’s appeal ruling.

So we can’t start construction,

says Deknopper.

We expect a ruling in June. If the appeal is rejected by the neighbours and no objection is filed with the Council for Permit Disputes, we want to start construction as soon as possible.

The municipal government awarded construction authorisation through a permit in November. Local residents had the opportunityblank”> to file an appeal of the municipal government’s decision at the provincial level. Parties made use of this provision to present another formal complaint, which claimed that the revisions failed to solve existing resident complaints appropriately.