The municipality of Uccle has announced it will appeal to the Council of State in an attempt to block a controversial construction project planned at the Calevoet Wood site.
On 19 June, Urban.brussels—the regional authority overseeing urban planning—issued a permit to the developer S.A. Sfar-Alsemberg. The permit allows for the felling of 100 trees, the building of an underground car park with 25 spaces, and the construction of 57 public housing units. Uccle immediately appealed the decision to the Brussels government, but after ministers failed to reach an agreement, the permit was confirmed on 21 August. On Tuesday, 26 August, Uccle’s mayor and aldermen decided to take the matter to administrative court.
The municipality argues that the project “sacrifices a natural habitat that is home to protected species” and violates the goals outlined in the Regional Nature Plan and the Sustainable Development Plan. Uccle also insists that it has already supported social housing projects elsewhere, citing developments on Rue de Stalle, Rue des Fidèles, and the Stalle car park site.
During the public consultation, more than 300 residents voiced their opposition to the proposed development.
However, the local Socialist Party (PS), currently in opposition, has called out what it describes as “manipulating information.” “Calevoet Wood, a biodiversity haven? It’s mainly land purchased by the Brussels Regional Housing Association (SLRB) using public funds to build social housing. It seems that when it comes to social housing, the municipality of Uccle suddenly finds it difficult,” criticised Éric Mercenier, the local PS president.
