The planned felling of trees in Deurne-Zuid to make way for a new tram turnaround near Boekenberg Park will go ahead, as the Council for Permit Disputes has ruled against halting the work.
Local residents had filed an urgent procedure to stop the tree-cutting but were unable to demonstrate sufficient urgency, according to the Council. While the appeal against the project’s permit remains ongoing, it does not automatically suspend the works.
Neighbourhood group Het Juiste Spoor criticised the city of Antwerp for starting tree-felling along Boekenberglei earlier this week and planning to proceed on Drakenhoflaan, even though the appeal is still active. Residents had hoped the Council would intervene to put the works on hold, but their request has been rejected.
The Council stated the residents’ objections about noise, traffic disruption, and reduced parking are not directly linked to the tree-felling itself but rather to the construction and use of the tram tracks that follow. It also noted the residents failed to provide convincing evidence of the trees’ significant ecological or aesthetic value. The city plans to remove 62 trees but has pledged to plant 148 new ones in their place.
While this ruling dismisses the urgent request to halt the works, the Council emphasised that the broader legal challenge regarding the project permit is still ongoing and will continue until a final decision is reached. However, that verdict is unlikely to come before the tree-felling is completed.
