The plans for an industrial zone in the Groene Delle have been around for a long time, but the Flemish Minister for the Environment Zuhal Demir (N-VA) put the file back on the table in the spring. Flanders wants to convert 23 hectares of the nature reserve along the Albert Canal into an industrial zone. The local action committee and wildlife associations strongly oppose the plans. 4,500 people eventually lodged an objection and another 34,000 people signed a petition to preserve the nature reserve. “This is the highest number of objections ever against a GRUP”, says Brigitte Borgmans of the Flemish Environment Department. “The Flemish government now has 180 days to make a decision about the plan.
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