For more than two months, residents of the Sauheid district, in Embourg, in the commune of Chaudfontaine, have been worried about witnessing the emergence of 8 indoor padel courts in the Sauheid Castle park. The Tero group, specializing in these developments, is also planning the development of meeting and seminar rooms in the castle, as well as the construction of a 130-space car park.
A project to which more than 500 local residents “are categorically opposed“. Yannick Degand, a local resident, also contacted the municipal council on Wednesday evening, relaying the concerns of residents, who fear the deterioration of their living environment.”Remember the floods of July 2021she remembers. The valley was under water“. “These lands and this parking lot cannot be built in a flood zone, the safety of the residents is at stake.“, she insists.
It should be noted that last April, when the project was presented to citizens, the developer announced that the parking lot would consist of a “more permeable than the current soil“. “We don’t believe itdeclares Yannick Degand, and neither does our lawyer“. “Let’s take the example of the Commune of Esneux, which decided to refuse all permits on the Prés de Tilff site.“, implores the local resident.
As part of the Prés de Tilff rehabilitation file, the Municipality of Esneux has therefore decided… not to decide anything.
Beyond the risks linked to Belgium’s capricious weather conditions, the Calidifontains denounce the noise pollution and light pollution linked to this type of project, “especially in winter and at night, knowing that the grounds will close at 10 p.m. on weekdays and 2 a.m. on weekends“. “Neighbors of the complex who want to relax after a day of work on their balcony or terrace and will hear the echo, throughout the valley, of the bouncing balls“, regrets Yannick Degand, who believes that there is “already enough land in the municipality“. Indeed, a project is underway in Embourg, land exists in Chaudfontaine, and a permit has just been issued for the construction of 3 courts in Beaufays.
Noise, light, risk of flooding, “park which gives way to a building 10 meters high“, local residents are sounding the alarm and refusing any negotiations with the Tero group, which has offered them a new interview.”We know we are fighting Goliath, but we will not give up.“, assure Yannick Degand. “Let’s not forget the mobility problems on rue Joseph Deflandre, among others, which could see up to 64 additional cars passing by per hour“, she regrets.
“No permit has yet been issued“, reassure the authorities.”Our lawyers are preparing for this eventuality“, concludes the spokesperson for local residents, who emphasizes that “Several citizens have invested all their savings in buying their house within a radius of one kilometer around the land in question, which, according to a real estate expert, will lose between 15 and 20% of its value if the padel project succeeds.“.
