The new municipal administration of Koksijde intends to keep the military helicopters at its Defence base, and is calling for a definitive solution to the issue of relocating the site.
"Any scenario that would leave the area virtually unoccupied, for example by restricting it to military exercises from Ostend, is not acceptable to us," the new city council said in a statement on Tuesday.
In January 2024, Defence Minister Ludivine Dedonder (Parti Socialiste) announced that the buildings of the military barracks would remain in use beyond 2026, but that the helicopters would be transferred to Ostend in 2027.
The Koksijde municipality wants to become owner of the northern part of the base, in order to install its technical services there. The council would also like to acquire the section of land next to the car park for mobile homes, as it would like to temporarily create an area there for holding events.
The local authorities believe the issue of the military base finally deserves a definitive solution. They note that, despite past efforts and the many expert plans that have been drawn up, no concrete solution has yet been found.
"This is an important signal that we are sending to Brussels, to Defence and to the parties negotiating to form a government," said Mayor Sander Loones (Nieuw-Vlaamse Alliantie).
"We all agree in Koksijde: the helicopters must absolutely stay and not be transferred to Ostend," Loones added.
