Flemish government (re)confirms zone neighbouring incinerator site as agricultural area

24/04/2009 - The Flemish government has today confirmed that the zone that neighbors the site of the Kampenhout incinerator will remain an agricultural area.

The zone has always been destined for agriculture before, but Recover Energy, the privately held company that has plans to build a waste incinerator in Kampenhout, Belgium, wanted it to be converted to an industrial area.

The zone neighbours the site where Recover Energy wants to build the incinerator, and having it converted to an industrial area would have made things easier for the company as some specific urban legislature applies to terrains that are on the edge of an industrial zone.

Tom De Saegher, vice-chief of staff of the Flemish minister-president Kris Peeters explains.
"This decision implements the targets of the 'Ruimtelijk Structuurplan Vlaanderen', that states that a total of 750.000 hectare agricultural area should be confirmed, in addition to 10.000 ha of additional woodland and 38.000 ha of additional nature zone.
The first step, the one taken today, is to confirm those areas that should keep their status"

"It is vital to have the current situation confirmed ", adds Peter Van den dries, chairman of the local branch of the CD&V party in Kampenhout. " The confirmation is needed because of the recent plans to reorient the area, including the plans for the incinerator."

Stop de Oven, the pressure group that's been rallying against the proposed incinerator for months, is happy with the confirmation, but urges caution.

"Obviously, this is a small victory and very rewarding towards all our supporters, but a firm dose of realism is also needed", says Tony Verhelle of Stop de Oven. "When launching the project, the area was already an agricultural area, and that has been confirmed today. So nothing has really changed for Recover Energy, although everyone knows they hoped to get it converted to an industrial area."

"The battle isn't over yet, and we're more determined then ever to continue our actions."