In the city of Rennes, land intended for businesses is increasingly rare. And this is not going to stop, under the artificial influence of zero net (ZAN), this regulation that specifically intends to harden 50% less natural places by 2031.
Within Rennes Métropole, land use has gone well, to support the development of businesses. Over the past five years, 15 hectares per year, or a total of 75 ha, have been developed. And although less than 60 ha is still available, the town estimates that an additional 65 ha is needed by 2035 to meet industrial, artisanal and catering needs.
With all these issues in mind, and the desire to bring economy and ecology together, the metropolitan council voted on Thursday September 26 for the new Local Economic Development Program (PLAE). A planning document that sets out a broad definition of local policy for 2035.
Prioritizing the consolidation and renewal of existing ones
As noted by Le Telegramme During a consultation organized at the beginning of 2024, Rennes Métropole chose to meet land needs by focusing in particular on the concentration and renewal of the existing economic activity zones, especially the oldest and most attractive ones . Among them: the North industrial zone (Rennes / Saint-Grégoire), Janais (Chartres-de-Bretagne), the Rigourdière region (Cesson-Sévigné) or the Hallerais and Motte (Vern-sur-Seiche) activity areas. This lever should make it possible to free up 39 of the 65 hectares needed.
The rest will come from the creation of new “urban expansion” activity zones. If only four regions were identified in February, the PLAE now refers to five: Val Blanc (Chantepie), Placis de la Touche (Parthenay-de-Bretagne), Les Trois Prés (Laillé), La Haie de la Terre (Vezin – Le-Coquet) and the Hill 3 (Noyal-Châtillon-sur-Seiche).
Rennes Métropole identifies five regions (in purple) for new economic zones. (Photo Rennes Métropole)
The Hil 3 being discussed
These zones must in particular make it possible to accommodate logistics platforms, infrastructures that are often characterized by the fact that they generate traffic and noise and take up a lot of space, creating little ‘ jobs. Already questioned by environmentaliststhe area of Hil 3 in Noyal-Châtillon-sur-Seiche was particularly discussed during the metropolitan council. The opposition group Ensemble pour Rennes Métropole expressed dismay, through the voice of Carole Gandon, that the new area is planned “on organically cultivated agricultural land and on wetlands rich in biodiversity” . And this, while the Hil 1 and 2 zones are “sub-owned” and host “abandoned warehouses”, according to the elected Macronist, whose statements were opposed by Jean-Marc Legagneur, metropolitan vice-president in charge of areas of activity and mayor of Nouvoitou.
