Jean-Julien Delautre, the owner of the Château de Fénelon in Sainte-Mondane, in Dordogne, is not upset. A few weeks ago, he learned that the installation of a relay antenna was planned a few hundred meters from his property. “Where they [NDLR : les porteurs du projet] are smart, it’s more than 500 meters from the castle,” he points out. On target, therefore, in terms of regulations. But, from the ramparts, we can see the location of the antenna in question.
A test called into question
At the time, the mayor of the town, Gilles Arpaillange, carried out a test with balloons suspended from a string. “It was windy that day,” says Jean-Julien Delautre. And the balloons got caught in the branches of the trees. Logical that we didn't see them. »
We were there. But since the week of November 11, there has been something new: a concrete screed has been poured on the land to accommodate the antenna. “It’s launched and no one warns us,” complains the squire. With this story of balloons, we cannot say that scientific rigor is required. »
A bailiff's report was carried out at the request of the operator Orange, the project leader. According to the site owner, he doesn't take everything into account. He cites an example: “It’s about a plant curtain. It's actually four trees on the ridge. If they are ever cut or if they fall for one reason or another, the antenna will protrude 10 meters. »
Silence radio
He does not hesitate to describe the position of Bâtiments de France as “troublesome”. “A neighbor of this land wanted to build her house,” he explains. She also had a plant curtain, but she couldn't do what she wanted. On the day of the test, the person responsible [des Bâtiments de France] had to be present and we had to go around the park with him, to make the observation. He didn't come. » Contacted by “Sud Ouest”, the manager in question kicked in, referring to the communications department.
The Delautre asked the operator for a more precise study, “with altimeter readings in particular,” explains the owner of the Château de Fénelon. We're still waiting. This was brushed aside. We were told that it was only an oral commitment and that we should consider ourselves lucky since other sites were much more disturbed than us by this type of project. »
“We are already going to contact the Department, to see if we can have arbitration”
Beyond the visual impact for visitors to Fénelon, which also hosts film and series shootings (including the latest, “Fortune de France”), what Jean-Julien Delautre does not understand is is that the future antenna will be located near a hiking trail. “The Village Round passes very close by,” he emphasizes. It is an event that attracts nearly 5,000 people every year. Passing by this antenna spoils the landscape. »
He does not intend to give up: “We are going to call on all the competent authorities. We will already contact the Department to see if we can have arbitration. »
