“Unable to perform Ventilus assignment objectively”: Press German Professor

For Bart Dochy, the mayor of Ledegem, this is proof that Elia is exerting pressure to oppose an objective opinion.

Above or below ground?

Ventilus above ground or underground, that remains the question. Above ground says Elijah. But the West Flemish mayors would rather check this with an independent expert.

Informally, a German expert, Dirk Westermann, quickly confirmed that he could do it. But last night Westermann informed the civil platforms that he cannot give an objective opinion because there is a conflict between the assignment and his work.

“Pressure applied to expert”

He works for a German subsidiary of Elia. For Bart Dochy, the spokesman for the mayors, this is proof that Elia is putting pressure on the expert. It strengthens him in the idea that underground is indeed an equivalent alternative.

The citizen platforms have now contacted another international consultancy and hope that this office can work objectively.

Westermann must submit his report to Minister Demir on 4 November. According to Dochy, that will still happen.

Read more about the controversial Ventilus file here.