After two refusals and hundreds of objections: Blankenberge gets residential tower of over 70 meters on Zeedijk (Blankenberge)

The file of the Petit Rouge already had a lot of feet in the earth. Twice the city council of Blankenberge refused an environmental permit to project developers POC Real Estate and Ion for a residential tower on the site of the former hotel on the Zeedijk. They have been trying to build there for years, but so far have been bumping into one njet.

Hundreds of objections

The first attempt provided a building of no less than 100 meters high, after which the project was reduced to 90 meters. A third time it is now price: a design of 72.5 meters and 156 apartments was approved by the province.

An adjusted appeal procedure ran there after a first application was refused. « In the appeal procedure, the design was therefore adjusted where possible to meet the various concerns of the governments, administration and Blankenbergenaars, » said the project developers.

« On the one hand, the new design has a favorable impact on the shadow and wind studies. On the other hand, this design breaks the monotonous character of our coastline. »

The plans for the Petit Rouge were – to say the least – controversial in Blankenberge. Hundreds of objections were submitted three times. That even happened recently under the impetus of the N-VA majority party, who has always opposed the project.

The Schepencollege of Blankenberge gave a positive advice, but that was not unanimous. N-VA voted against.

“Unique site”

« The province has thoroughly investigated and motivated its decision, which means that we believe in the merits of the adapted Petit Rouge project, » is still with the project developers. « We believe that this adapted project is a nice compromise that will produce a unique site that all Blankenbergen residents will enjoy, » the developers continue.

In addition to the residential tower, the area is also being tackled. Half of the plot of the Petit Rouge becomes a public square with a gallery. In addition, the project developers provide a public bicycle and pedestrian lift for an efficient and pleasant paving between the Zeedijk and Breydelstraat. Finally, the protected staircase of Bakkersstraat is also being tackled.