Uncertainty looms over Tielt forest project as NMBS plans land sale

Tielt (Eurotoday) – Tielt’s plan to create a 15-hectare urban forest with a cycling path near the train station faces uncertainty as NMBS’s decision to sell the railway land, priced at a minimum of 77,000 euros, surprised Mayor Luc Vannieuwenhuze. The city and province will explore options but may face competition due to market consultation rules.

The city of Tielt is working with West Flanders to create a forest on a 15-hectare site near the train station. This project started in October 2024. The province is in charge of buying the land and managing the work. An old railway line runs through this area.

The city wanted to turn this unused railway into a cycling path. They mentioned that this would help people access the green space while keeping it natural. However, the project hit a snag when the NMBS announced it would sell the railway land. 

Is Tielt’s urban forest project at risk due to NMBS land sale?

Mayor Luc Vannieuwenhuze is unhappy with the NMBS’s choice to sell the railway land. The city was in talks with the railway about using the land for its plans. He said it would have been better if they had worked together. Officials mentioned that the NMBS has a different view of the land, which could make it hard for Tielt to create the urban forest and cycling path. Despite this problem, the city will keep trying to move the project forward.

“We were informed by letter from the NMBS of the sale of the plot,”

Says Mayor Luc Vannieuwenhuze (CD&V – List voor de Burger).

“You would expect that a consultation on this would be more appropriate, but it must be that the owner of the land has a different point of view.”

The NMBS’s decision to sell the old railway land could change Tielt’s plans for a new forest. The city wanted to use this land, but now there is uncertainty. Mayor Luc Vannieuwenhuze said the land is very important for the forest project. It is still not clear if the city or province will try to buy the land or how much money they will offer. 

The mayor mentioned that the NMBS has set a minimum price of 77,000 euros for the railway land, which is about 12,957 square meters. If the city and province decide to buy it, they may face competition from other buyers, which could make the situation more difficult.

“Together with the province we will look at what the possibilities are because the plot is important for the development of an urban fringe forest,”

Says Vannieuwenhuyze.

NMBS has explained its choice to sell the land publicly because it must follow the law. They mentioned that if the city makes a bid, it will not get special treatment if other buyers are interested. 

NMBS has to follow the usual rules to make sure the sale is fair. This makes it unclear if the city can get the land for its forest project. NMBS mentioned that this rule could be a big problem for Tielt because it might have to compete with others for land that is very important for its plans.

“We must always launch a market consultation, those are the rules,”

The company says.