Homes belonging to the Ministry of Defense are deteriorating in Ypres: “demolish the houses or renovate them”

The city wants Defense to demolish the houses to make way for greenery, or to renovate the buildings. Now they are a magnet for vandals. Outrageous, says Philip Bolle, alderman for spatial planning.

The two houses of Defense are located between the Ypres fortress area and the Hoornwerkpark. They have been empty for several years and are popular with squatters and vandals. Two weeks ago, a garage door had to believe it. The measure is full for the city of Ypres. Alderman Philip Bolle: “We want them to act to tackle the decay as it is now. We will not accept this, in this beautiful environment. That people allow it to be consumed like this. This is du jamais vu.”

“Not up to the Agency for Nature and Forests, then the price of agricultural land”

In the event of a sale, the new owner may renovate the houses. In case of a demolition, you are not allowed to build anything new. That is why the Agency for Nature and Forest is also interested, which would make the domain completely greener. But Defense doesn’t like that. “In that case, the price offered would be much too low, the price of agricultural land,” says Evy Point.

The Ministry of Defense has announced that it wants to sell the houses this year. She is also considering legal action. The widening of this pond might have caused stability problems in the houses. In 2007, the Ministry of Defense was also said not to have been informed about the new Spatial Implementation Plan, and about its consequences in the event of a possible demolition. The city says it has followed all procedures correctly.