Plans to turn the central pond on the Neerpede site in the Brussels municipality of Anderlecht into a natural swimming pond have been granted an environmental permit (after previously receiving an urban development permit).
The plans, which were drawn up by Brussels Environment and the municipality of Anderlecht in 2020, should turn the vast green area of 400 hectares into a nature and recreational park. However, transforming the pond into a natural swimming pond was met with particular resistance from many residents who fear that their peace will be disturbed.
"Posters have appeared in the park: the environmental permit has been granted," announced the group of local opponents 'Sauvegardons Neerpede' ('Let's save Neerpede') on social media. "We are waiting to receive it so that we can pass it on to our lawyer. He will study the document to file an appeal with the Environmental Board."
On 26 February, urban.brussels issued an urban development permit, but the environmental permit also had to be granted for the plans to go through.
In recent weeks, Brussels Environment consulted with the municipality of Anderlecht to clarify the conditions for monitoring the new swimming activities and their integration into the park in terms of biodiversity, mobility, cleanliness and safety, Bruzz reports.
While works to transform the Neerpede site can now theoretically start in 2025, with the pond opening in summer 2026, the timing will still depend on whether more appeals are filed.
In mid-March, the Anderlecht municipal council announced that it would appeal against the plans, in addition to the objections from 'Sauvegardons Neerpede'.
