Brussels Region has issued an adapted planning permit for the restoration of the Stock Exchange building to avoid any cancellation of the existing permit by the Council of State, Brussels Secretary of State for Urban Planning, Pascal Smet, said on Wednesday.
In May, the Council's auditor had questioned the motivation behind certain provisions of the permit, which was granted in November 2018. The Region decided not to wait for the final decision but to clarify matters and avoid jeopardising the ongoing construction work.
Specifically, the clarifications concern the part of the project located at the corner of Tabora and Bourse streets, where a large entrance to the new building is to be located. Additional attention has been paid to people with reduced mobility, including the installation of lifts, according to the Region.
It added that essential heritage elements will be protected by a classification order.
“It is possible and even mandatory to reconcile the rich history of our city with its sparkling future," Mr. Smet said. "With this improved argumentation of the original permit, we show that this magnificent restoration project has been completely legitimised by making the building accessible to all.”
