not consulted, this mayor of Yvelines is undergoing “a crazy project” from the Department

In the village of Chapet (Yvelines), there is commotion. Mayor Benoît de Laurens urgently summoned his residents to a public meetingTuesday January 14, 2025.

“They didn’t know the exact reason, but they knew it was important,” explains the councilor. There were more than 300 people at the rural home! I had never seen that. »

100 unaccompanied minors could be accommodated

On Wednesday January 8, 2025, Benoît de Laurens received confirmation from the Department that a draft reception village for unaccompanied minors (25 bungalows for 100 young people with an average age of 16-17 years, sports field, etc.) was being studied in the Mitan area.

“I had clearly seen that soil studies had been carried out a few weeks ago without the municipality being notified,” he laments.

“Everything was done haphazardly, without the slightest consultation”

It is on this same the Mitan area. that a real estate project of 340 housing units was current in the heart of the 2010s. “It was reduced to 110 housing units with almost 50% social housing, access to property, an intergenerational house,” says the mayor . »

“I have been working on this project for three years with a developer and the Yvelines public land establishment (Epfy), continues the elected official. A presentation was even made to residents more than a year ago. Today, it all falls apart. »

If Benoît de Laurens disagrees with the Department's project in substance, he is above all angry on the form.

“Everything was done haphazardly, without the slightest consultation! I find it unbearable, especially since we keep claiming that the city/department couple is the basis of the Republic. I feel humiliated! »

“The cure is worse than the disease”

Basically, the mayor believes that “the cure is worse than the disease”. “ We're going to park some kids in an isolated area, devoid of any urbanity and public transport. These children are being handed over to pasture. It's crazy! Is there nothing better to offer them? »

Distraught, he judges that the Department “acted in haste”. “As it is budget panicthey want immediate results. I imagine that, in their minds, they would like it to be operational by 2025.”

An explosion in the number of unaccompanied minors in Yvelines

During the public meeting of January 14, 2025, Sandra Lavantureux, deputy director general of the Department's Children, Families and Health service, came to defend the position of the Departmental Council. Contacted by 78 actu, she explains the situation difficile that the community must face.

“Two years ago, we took care of around 400 unaccompanied minors. There has been an explosion in this figure since then and we now exceed 1,000 miners. They are placed in a hotel, which is illegal. The State is asking us to find a solution and we are looking for a way to welcome them with dignity. »

In the years to come, around ten villages of this type could therefore see the light of day in Yvelines. “We tour our land reserves (which includes the Chapet land, Editor’s note) to see the most suitable land and what is concretely feasible,” executive Sandra Lavantureux. Six months ago, we didn't think about Chapet at all. And for now, we are only at the study stage. »

“All mayors have good reasons for this to happen elsewhere”

If she admits that the project may cause concern in this village of 1,350 inhabitantsSandra Lavantureux wants to be reassuring.

“These are situations that we are used to managing, particularly with regard to the organization of transport. I can understand that this might be surprising in a rural area, but no mayor tells us: “Come to us. » And when we go to urban areas, the municipalities make us understand that they have already taken their share. »

According to the Deputy Director General of the Children, Families and Health division of the Department, it is therefore difficult to find the right balance.

“All mayors have good reasons for this to happen elsewhere than on their territory. But we, these young people, cannot keep them in the hotel. Hence the urgency to act. »

The mayor does not give up

However, it is not certain that these explanations are enough to convince Benoît de Laurens. The latter, who clearly suggested his dismay and helplessnessintends to oppose “all [ses] forces behind this delusional and inconsistent project.” These are the terms he used in a letter addressed to prefect of Yvelinesin which he recalls that an association in the town already accommodates around ten young people in reintegration.

« Bungalows are precariousit's difficult to object. We will try to mobilize environmental associations. We will look for help everywhere,” he assures us.
Apetitionsigned by many residents following the public meeting, has already been launched.

Follow all the news from your favorite cities and media by subscribing to Mon Actu.