On Wednesday, complainants to CNAC, the National Commission for Commercial Development, received a letter confirming the unfavorable opinion regarding the commercial aspect of the project of the new Nemausus stadium led by Rani Assaf.
Unfavorable opinion with review clause. With nine votes out of nine, members of the National Commission for Commercial Development (CNAC) said no to the commercial component of the new Nemausus Stadium. Why ? Because the latter has provided 4,826 m2 of retail space, i.e. 17 outlets within the sports enclosure. However, this new set raises several concerns. First, the attractiveness of the city centre. The Association Coeur de Nîmes but also Socri-Reim, the recent owner of the Coupole de Nîmes fear the impact on the commercial imbalance that this would cause in Nîmes. The CNAC agreed with them. It also indicates that the catchment area presented by the project managers needs to be reworked. Finally, and this is probably the most decisive point, the risk for traffic around the future stadium. Even more on match days and especially on Saturday afternoons. What can happen now? Two options. First, the Nîmes Olympique boss can give up these thousands of square meters of commercial space. Therefore, he will not need to return to CNAC in a few weeks. If and only if, his project takes into account a commercial space of up to 1,000 m2. “But if the intention is to only do local outlets, that should be enough” specifies a source close to the file it calls “that the project already includes 9,000 square meters of playful activities and many restaurants. Not to mention houses and hotels”. However, the project manager has a legitimate right to ask questions. To rework the sizing. However, he must notify the appeal within 5 days with the elements that motivate it. The decision on this new version will then be made within four months. The game is therefore far from over. One way or another. Although it is important to remember some data from the CNAC 2021 report. The Commission issued 231 decisions and only 26 revisions. Attacked on the merits, the CNAC has seen its decisions confirmed by almost 80%. This potentially demonstrates the seriousness of the Commission’s work… And its key role with project promoters, ensuring balanced development and promoting responsible commercial town planning!
Abdul Samari
