The Flemish government does not agree with the completed environmental impact study on noise pollution at Brussels Airport, ordered in 2017 by the then Minister of Mobility François Bellot (MR). That writes ‘De Standaard’ on Monday.
The French consultancy Envisa put forward nine scenarios to spread the nuisance equitably over the territory of the Flemish and Brussels Regions. On behalf of the Flemish government, N-VA ministers Zuhal Demir and Ben Weyts, respectively responsible for the Environment and the Flemish Periphery, registered a protest in a letter to Federal Minister of Mobility Georges Gilkinet (Ecolo).
“In seven of the nine scenarios, the nuisance is shifted to or even concentrated above the Flemish Region”, says Michaël Devoldere, spokesperson for Ben Weyts. Demir and Weyts are of the opinion that the study does not meet the objective of ‘a fair distribution of the burdens’ laid down in the Flemish coalition agreement.
According to the ministers, the extensive list of comments that Flanders submitted at the request of Envisa was not taken into account. “The present study (can) not form a basis for taking a supported decision on the airport file with respect for all interests in a proportionate manner,” the letter concludes.
With the resistance of the Flemish government, Envisa’s work threatens to be sent back to the drawing boards for a second time. A first version was destroyed by the court in 2019 following a complaint from the Brussels Region. The Flemish government does not want to go that far yet and is calling for further consultation.
“However, if one stubbornly continues and carelessly ignores the Flemish proposals and concerns,” Weyts tells ‘De Standaard’, “we will indeed have to take legal action.”
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