2023-08-05 06:00:00
In February 2022, residents of Leers France and rue de Gibraltar Nord (Néchin) launched a petition (2,100 signatures) following learning of Exeter’s project to build a 22,000 m2 storage warehouse (the equivalent of three football pitches), 15 meters high with 24 loading bays, on land located in Leers, on the border between France and Belgium. “A disproportionate, non-standard project in a rural area, close to our houses, just across the street”denounced the residents, citing visual and noise pollution but also the passage of some 80 additional trucks expected each day in the area.
The Municipality of Estaimpuis had also reacted by submitting a few possible solutions and improvements to limit the inconvenience, such as placing and directing the 24 platforms towards the existing building, on the side opposite Belgium in order to reduce the noise impact, or to set up a continuous merlon along the border as well as on the side of the dwellings with the planting of tall trees to conceal the height of the building of 15 m as much as possible.
Without taking into account the Belgian grievances
The file had been somewhat forgotten… until the construction machinery invaded the field for a few days! “It was local residents who alerted us to these maneuvers and we were not informed beforehand of the start of the construction site for this warehouse, notes the Alderman for Town Planning, Quentin Huart. We asked the town hall of Leers to find out regarding the permit granted, and unfortunately, we note that most of the Belgian grievances were not accepted by both the prefect of the North and the mayor of Leers. Thus, the loading and unloading docks will be positioned towards Belgium, without taking into account the desired 50 meters setback… On the other hand, a vegetated merlon is well planned in the project.”
And the cartage?
If it no longer has any means of recourse once morest the construction of the warehouse, the Municipality of Estaimpuis intends to make itself heard in relation to mobility in the area. “The question of cartage management must arise, and yet we were not consulted either. We do not want all the trucks to pass through Belgium and we are going to contact the various stakeholders to organize a meeting at faster.”
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