The Flemish government granted the NMBS a permit for the demolition of the station last year. A lot of protest preceded this, including the Flemish Association for Industrial Archeology (VVIA). The VVIA eventually went to the RVV together with another heritage association to challenge the permit.
The council now agrees with the requesting parties. “The heritage value of the station building is recognized, but the permit is only focused on the benefits of the new project without taking into account the loss of the heritage values of the existing building,” it sounds. According to the RVV, the Flemish government has therefore not carefully substantiated its decision.