Why this Loire-Atlantique quarry will not ultimately be transformed into a swimming area

In June 2024, local residents and the municipality learned of the abandonment of the inert waste storage project at the Maison-Noulet Quarry in Donges (Loire-Atlantique) by the Charier company. The aborted project, what future for this natural site located in the Natura 2000 zone?

At the time, the mayor of Donges highlighted the potential of this place located in the Parc de Brière.

It is a site that we have the possibility of promoting, with its body of water and its hiking trails nearby.

An asset for the Parc de Brière

For the mayor, Revin's career could be a new asset for the park. “There is enough to make one second Roche Ballue [NDLR zone de loisirs située à Bouguenais]. This will require securing it, but this is the message that we will take to Jean Vidal (the chairman of the board of directors of the Charier group). » Just like the collective of local residents. “We can make it a fun and fun place, but of course while preserving the fauna and flora,” explained the collective after the announcement that the project would be abandoned in 2024.

Parking problem…

But since then the thinking has moved forward. A meeting between the owner, local residents and the municipality was organized in September 2024. And it was finally decided not to transform this site into a nautical base. “There is not the land necessary to make a parking », underlines the mayor, for whom the priority is to promote the biodiversity and management of site species.

…and security

Security is also a problem. Transforming the quarry into a swimming area would have consequences on traffic. The quarry is located in the heart of the village of Revin. It would be necessary to provide access for vehicles, although this was one of the black points highlighted by opponents of the site's return to operation. “What is true for trucks is also true for cars,” remarks the mayor.

Another problem is that of user surveillance. “It is too dangerous to consider turning this water hole which is deep in places into a swimming area. »

The site will therefore not be open to the public, but it will be able to benefit from the environment thanks to the paths and greenways which run along the site.

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