The Metropolis is renewing its program dedicated to the protection of peri-urban natural and agricultural spaces for four years. © Andreas Koch – Pexels
The Metropolis of Lyon wants to go beyond its objectives by integrating 3,000 additional hectares into the Protection of Peri-Urban Natural and Agricultural Areas (PENAP) system.
Alongside the partner municipalities concerned, the Métropole de Lyon wishes to go beyond the objectives it had set for the preservation of protected agricultural areas. In a press release published this Wednesday, November 13, the community assures that it wants to integrate 3,000 additional hectares into the Protection of Peri-Urban Natural and Agricultural Areas (PENAP) system. Or an increase “more than a third of natural and protected agricultural areas since the start of the mandate”she assures.
Three major areas identified
In order to enable this extension, identification work was carried out in the Lyon metropolitan area, thus allowing the potential extension of three zones. This would firstly concern the PENAP Plain and Mont d'Or perimeter located in the communes of Quincieux, an increase of 1,350 hectares. The proposal will be put to a vote on November 18 in the standing committee. The Grand Parc de Miribel-Jonage, located in the municipalities of Vaulx-en-Velin, Décines, Meyzieu and Jonage, could also see its perimeter extended to 1,361 hectares.
The extension of the perimeter on the Plaine du Biézin, located in the municipalities of Chassieu, Meyzieu and Décines, will be subject to a public inquiry. This would represent an additional 754 hectares. “Through the extension of this PENAP perimeter, the community hopes to maintain and develop agricultural activities on the Biézin plain, and in particular the market gardening activity which is currently experiencing strong demand from farmers”further specifies the Métropole de Lyon.
The Métropole de Lyon also specifies that other consultations will begin at the start of 2025 with the voluntary municipalities. If all of the extensions are adopted, the PENAP territory will be extended to 13,332 hectares among the 21,370 hectares of agricultural land identified in the territory.
Read also: How the Metropolis of Lyon wants to encourage the installation of new market gardeners in its territory
