Green starts petition for old Leie arm in Wielsbeke
Green provincial councilor Maarten Tavernier calls it “very illogical and absurd” that the old Leie arm is not part of new plans to preserve open space for the time being. These include, for example, intentions to preserve or strengthen nature complexes or water structures.
“Many nice words, but a stark contrast with the real risk that the existing old Leie arm will have to make way for a truck parking lot,” says Jeremie Vaneeckhout. Groen’s co-chairman was present on Saturday to draw attention to the matter. Inge Vandevelde, Green municipal councilor in Waregem, also supports the action.
“Permanent threat”
The greens fear that this piece of nature will disappear. They point to the biological value and importance of water now that dry summers threaten our water supplies. “Every day a new application can be submitted to give the site a different purpose,” says Tavernier. “The threat remains permanently present.”
In 2020, the municipality of Wielsbeke and the company Unilin wanted to build a truck parking lot at that location. There were many objections and the application was then withdrawn.