Problem: multiple permit requests from the Drohme company, which wishes to turn the area into a leisure park, are rejected one by one. His project comes up against numerous protests from local residents, who target the activities already set up by Drohme, namely, in particular, golf and the Horeca event O2 summer terrace, deemed too elitist. Opponents also point to too much pressure on mobility and parking in the neighborhood.
No parking, no park
These development projects also encountered a more technical problem. In a pitiful state, the current parking lot is actually listed in the Pras (regional land use plan) as a “forest zone”, where parking is therefore not authorized. However, parking spaces were there before the adoption of Pras in 2001. Drohme wanted to redo this parking lot but the protection of the area prevented it and, according to the company, without parking worthy of the name, it was impossible for it to develop any profitable activity.
The Brussels Region came to the rescue in February 2023. To unblock the situation, the Brussels government decided to modify the Pras. The “forest zone” of the car park was to become a “community facilities zone” and another space, designated as “sports and leisure” located on the edge of the racecourse ring, was to become a “forest zone” to compensate .
Everything is therefore settled: Drohme can launch its parking project. But that was without taking into account the opponents who quickly denounced a modification tailor-made for private interests. Local residents therefore attacked the regional modification. The argument? The planned car park of around 300 spaces does not meet the parking need identified by the impact study carried out to be attached to the Pras modification file. This study predicted a need for 470 spaces but also, occasionally, 1000 parking spaces during certain events. The 70 additional places envisaged elsewhere on the racecourse site then seemed quite insufficient.
The forest zone is resisting
Both the Region and the company then argue that a larger car park would not go towards preserving the surrounding natural spaces and that the parking problem would be dealt with during a subsequent permit application which is essential to redo the car park. Reduced parking would also aim to encourage the modal transition and move away from the car.
The Council of State did not hear it that way: for it, the modification of Pras does not meet the requirements in terms of mobility pointed out by the impact study. Furthermore, the Council assures that the arguments of the defenders of the modification in no way constitute a legal basis for transferring the question of responsibility for parking management to a future planning permit or to the organizers of the events.
This October 25, the Council therefore canceled the modification of Pras. The car park remains a forest area… parking is prohibited.
“Victory” for opponents of the project like Thomas, one of the initiators of the appeal: “This is the seventh refusal from the Council of State for Drohme’s projects at the racecourse. The relevance of their ten-year-old project then arises.” As a reminder, Brussels Environment has already taken over 50% of the management of the site (notably the green spaces).
For its part, the Drohme company, which has been silent for many months, is not yet willing to comment on the situation. CEO Olivier Poulaert assures that “the Region seems to support the project (hence in particular the attempt to modify Pras). Their analysts and ours are working on the decision of the Council of State. It is still too early to take a position. But from the start, we have faced appeals on purely administrative problems. This is still the case here. It takes determination to stay the course.” Ditto for the region, the office of the outgoing Minister-President Rudi Vervoort (PS), initiator of the modification of Pras, is still analyzing the Council’s decision.to determine how to respond appropriately.”
Brussels Environment is moving forward
The other regional partner involved, Brussels Environment, notes that the Council ruling in no way blocks its plans: “Our part of the project is moving forward. At this stage, the track (former horse racing track) has been renovated, work is underway at the barrier which runs alongside the track. The people of Brussels can reclaim the places which become a space of relaxation and relaxation. It is also planned to create a relaxation meadow, for which the permit has already been obtained. The forest house has been renovated. The park wardens are in the process of setting up there. Work is also underway on the barn which will become a reception and educational venue for groups and schools. The structural work should be completed during 2025. There will be temporary occupations in this space with final occupation planned for 2028.”
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