The National Commercial Development Commission details the reasons for its “unfavorable opinion with review” towards the commercial component of the project instead of Costières.
The mail arrived a few days before Christmas. An appetizer, undoubtedly a little bitter for Rani Assaf, a little sweet for the opponents of the commercial component of the Nemausus program, a new stadium and district, in place of Costières. After the examination and hearings in Paris on November 24, the National Commission for Commercial Development (CNAC) issued an “unfavorable opinion with review” on the draft. The body has therefore just sent its reasons to the interested parties at the end of December. And there are many.
Nine considerations
Why this review? The National Commission details nine considerations. It indicates in particular the “immediate proximity”, to the south of the agglomeration, of other commercial areas: those of Mas des Vignolles and Ville Active. He also disputes the catchment area of the project as presented by the Franco-Lebanese businessman, which excludes the city center of Nîmes. “The operation risks diverting customers”, judges the Cnac. Who is concerned about the “lack of details” on the nature of the project’s 17 commercial cells.
The procedure in detail
To obtain a building permit for a project with a sales area of more than 1,000 m2 (4,826 m2 in this case), administrative authorization from the Departmental Commercial Development Commission (CDAC) is required. Rani Assaf obtained this go-ahead on July 5 (the prefecture, the town hall of Nîmes or the department, among others, voted yes).
But in the process, four appeals were filed against this favorable opinion to the National Commission for Commercial Development (CNAC), by the Nîmes Coupole company and by the associations Throughout the franchise, merchants of the Coupole des Halles and Cœur de Nîmes , the trade and office of craftsmanship.
After examination and hearing in Paris on November 24, the authority had decided: it issued an “unfavorable opinion with review” to the project. Rani Assaf now has two months to provide answers.
For the record, through his SAS Nemau, the president of Nîmes Olympique is pursuing an ambitious real estate programme, which envisages private investments of over 200 million euros, around a new 15,000-seat stadium and a new district that will host 700 housing units, two hotels, offices, residences for the elderly or students, medical offices and, therefore, 17 new businesses.
“No guarantee is given on the articulation with the shops and craftsmen present in the area. […] The project risks, as it stands, undermining the preservation of local shops in the Nîmes area”, says the National Commission for Commercial Development. Which, finally, lists several deficiencies in environmental terms, on traffic issues, service bicycles or even “lack of ambition in terms of sustainable development” of buildings.
The ball is now in Rani Assaf’s court
President of the Cœur de Nîmes association, at the origin of one of the four appeals against the creation of this new shopping complex (see opposite), Valérie Bénier welcomes the unanimity of the vote at the CNAC: nine unfavorable members out of nine. “We are very happy with this result – she reacts – The small businesses of the city center have been listened to and we are satisfied with the protections we have obtained”.
“However, since this unfavorable opinion is accompanied by a review clause, the project carried out by Rani Assaf has not been stopped as it stands. Last month in our columns, he also expressed his confidence that it will not be , according to him, “not delayed” by this administrative nuisance (target 2026.) The fact remains that to obtain his precious building permit, the president of Nîmes Olympique must review his copy, and take care of his answers.
