At the end of April 2025, Marcel Roemers launched a petition to prevent his local market gardening activity, in place for 12 years and known in the region, continues. “”Overnight, they have decided to close despite an ongoing regularization file “he regrets. When writing these lines, the petition collected 10,687 signatures.
The file is complex and the situation regrettable, points out the alderman. “Take the time to eat well”
A construction on an agricultural plot
The vegetable gardens of yesteryear is a reasoned agriculture that is organized in a short circuit. The farmer acknowledges having been exceeded by the extent that his activity has taken. “”I didn’t aim to trade in it. And today, it is between 800 and 1000 families that the vegetable garden feeds. It is true that I have advanced in illegality while respecting nature. “ Antan’s Potager resumes
And it is this illegality that is criticized for him. “”Many urban offenses have been reported following a domiciliation request (Editor’s note: arrival in January 2024). We could not let the situation continue, it was too much “indicates the alderman Mathieu Malmetier (IFR). In January, the operator is asked to submit a permit application for regularization, which is done. “”The file is submitted and an answer should arrive for the end of May. “
Meanwhile, the town has taken advantage of it to rebuild the point on the file. “”When we were able to read all the pieces, we thought it was no longer going. It turned out that there was a restaurant, a grocery store, accommodation … and all this without any request beforehand and in an agricultural area of landscaped interest. ” Negative feedback continued to flock, underlines the alderman, with a complaint from residents. “”They dispute developments made on their plots without their consent. “ This last element, “It was the drop of water that overflowed the vase and pushed the college to make the heavy decision to close the activity “.
In the process, the permit does not seem to have much chance of being accepted, suggests the alderman, due to the number of urban offenses accumulated over the years. “”We are not against market gardening or against the short circuit. It is unfortunate that petitioners think this. “
“The municipality was aware of my activity”
The farmer does not understand the reaction of the municipal authorities. He is surprised that they “discover” after 12 years his activity. He said that he provided the rest house of the CPAS of Theux in fruits and vegetables, that he was approved for the consumption checks of municipal staff, that he organized visits with municipal schools, etc. He proclaims his good faith and says he was overwhelmed by development. For its part, the alderman says he is waiting for more information about the relations that the vegetable patch had with the town. “”For consumption checks, they were arrested two years ago when we saw the offense “he adds.
A possible arrangement?
Currently, the fate of Marcel Roemers is in the hands of justice following an emergency appeal. “”The goal is to finish the season, the time to solve all of this “slides the producer.
The VTS opposition, by the voice of Aurélie Kaye, municipal councilor in the opposition, address “a transitional mediation and support proposal ” at Theutois college. It recalls the values of solidarity, sustainable development and social inclusion, in particular with the reception of people with disabilities shown by the ASBL. It proposes to allow the association to continue its activity until the end of the 2025 season “in the form of a provisional and supervised authorization “. And ensure administrative follow -up to allow the transition to the new premises, “In order to avoid a human, social and ecological drama “.
A decision will soon fall following emergency judgment, the two parties are awaiting a resolution.
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