Rejected by the prefect of Hérault in 2023 because it consumes too much water, the designers of Domaine de Lavagnac have produced a new copy based on the reuse of treated water. For the moment, the authorities remain very reserved.
In late 2022-early 2023, as the region suffered a long drought, the project made waves for its water needs. A controversy, fueled by associations and elected officials in the region, which pushed the then prefect of Hérault, Hugues Moutouh, to issue a negative opinion on May 11, 2023. The Domaine de Lavagnac, imagined in Montagnac with a luxury hotel and restaurant, 418 high-end villas and above all an 18-hole golf course, suffered a serious setback. One more, for an ambition born in 2011 around a 16th century castle once nicknamed “The little Versailles of Languedoc” but today partly in ruins.
“At a time when global warming is leading to periods of lasting drought, any old design project deserves to be re-examined in the light of the challenges we face”had justified Hugues Moutouh, while the water needs had been estimated at 300,000 m3 per year, including 170,000 to water the course and the golf greens. In fact, his decree required the suspension of work and the filing of a new environmental authorization with an impact study.
A wastewater treatment plant, storage basins
At the time, Luigi Pisano, manager of Thesis Ingénierie in charge of the studies, suggested that he was ready to review his copy, considering it possible “to find points of convergence”. Since then, he has been discreet, even if the website praises the quality of the program, in particular the villas “marketed under the off-plan sale regime“, has always remained online.
And now the Domaine de Lavagnac has resurfaced in a new version, deflowered by an opinion from the Regional Mission of Environmental Authority (MRAE) of Occitanie, a public body responsible for studying the environmental impact of different projects. We learn that “the golf course must be fully watered via rainwater and the reuse of wastewater (REUT) from the estate”. So, “the project provides for the creation of a wastewater treatment plant and its network, as well as the creation of rainwater collection devices, waterproofing compensation basins and then the creation of water storage basins for irrigation”reveals the MRAE in its report. No surprise. Faced with future water use conflicts emerging in areas threatened by drought, more and more golf courses have opted for this choice. That of Cap d'Agde was the first to connect to a wastewater treatment plant, that of La Grande-Motte imitated it in 2023, planning to use 250,000 m3 of treated water per year to satisfy 50%. of his needs.
The “gaps” of the impact study
The rest of the project has not evolved. Lavagnac still aims “to become the most luxurious hotel residence in the department” with “the rehabilitation of the castle” in a hotel, gourmet restaurant and wellness center and “the development of a real estate complex with the creation of 410 housing units for a capacity of 1,900 residents”.
Will this umpteenth version be the right one? To have. Because for now, remembering that “the preservation of water resources is the major issue in this issue”the MRAE has reservations. First, the impact study attached to the file “presents several shortcomings which harm its general quality and do not allow us to propose, as it stands, a relevant environmental assessment”. In particular, it is missing “analysis of the vulnerability of the project to climate change” et “the description of reasonable alternative solutions examined by the project owner”. The MRAE also notes that the golf irrigation plan “does not clearly identify the REUT water circuits, nor that of runoff water”. And notes different information, from one chapter to another, on the bodies of water created for the storage of water intended for irrigation. She therefore asks to “resume the project presentation”both in its construction and operational phases.
“Using treated water is also a problem”
A new red light? This opinion is not binding and the prefect can override it. But it is hard to imagine Hugues Moutouh's successor, François-Xavier Lauch, ignoring the recommendations of the MRAE. Especially since, already, associations are stepping up to the plate. “All these big groups lure elected officials with great projects, talking about the economy and job creation. Fortunately, state services are working on respecting the law […] Using treated water from the station is also a problem because it means less water for citizens. Knowing that a good part of the water irrigated by a golf course evaporates, this is water entirely lost for the pleasure of a game of well-off people. reacted Gilbert Dargegen, from the All our energies Occitanie environment association.
Requested by Free Midday, Luigi Pisano confirms for the moment only bet “on the reuse of treated water” and assures that he will speak in more detail soon. The mayor of Montagnac Yann Llopis, once seduced by the promise of some 200 jobs and a project that could promote “a poor town”, did not respond to our requests. Sensitive subject.
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