Article updated on April 26, 2024 at 5:20 p.m.
What will become of Mas Delfau? Visualization and other goodies in hand, the project leaders were determined to convince the local press of the usefulness of the complex. The industrial wasteland includes an old winery, a vestige of another time. The site might have become a golf driving range, but it was judged “too elitist” by Louis Aliot. “We wanted a project that remained popular and affordable”, confirms Frédéric Gourier, deputy mayor of the southern territory of Perpignan. Four years later, in addition to the 10,000 m2 of offices and the waterside taverns, a water ski lift might see the light of day in this green setting, although devoid of water.
“This area lacked wellness and leisure activities”
A stone’s throw from the sports park and the Villeneuve-de-la-Raho lake, “the area lacked wellness and leisure activities”according to Frédéric Gourier. “The business managers who come to see us to make an initial contact with the city ask for somewhat special office services. They hope for leisure for their employees and pleasant spaces. » Bingo! The project led by Hectare seems to fit the wishes of the councilor of Perpignan. It is even deemed “of general interest” by the municipality.
Beyond the park and the three pools, the developers intend to invest 22 million euros in Mas Delfau. In fact, nearly 10,000 M2 are planned to complete the offer at Tecnosud. The winery will be rehabilitated into a cultural and event space, the other part of the Mas, considered too dilapidated, will be partially demolished. The ruins will make way for a sports complex, equipped with a padel court, a gym and a hotel part. At the request of Perpignan town hall, the site will also include the creation of a “green theater”, made available to schools and associations.
Three pools will emerge from the ground at Mas Delfau in Perpignan
Hectare and Buldu Promotions particularly insisted on the creation of three interconnected lakes. “They will be supplied with surface water, taken directly from an existing branch of the royal canal. Today, this water resource only transits towards the Agouille de la Fontcouverte, without any particular purpose”assures Pierre Bertrand, head of the Hectare promoter in the Pyrénées-Orientales.
If this diversion does not benefit from any maintenance, according to the project leaders, water would circulate there regularly. But not this Thursday, April 25, the stream was desperately dry. A cleaning should soon take place along its path, up to a first basin with a capacity of 5,000 M3. “This pool will filter the water, thanks to bamboo and plants”, continues Pierre Bertrand. The water reserve should be used to irrigate green spaces, but also the surrounding activity areas. The second intermediate body of water, with a capacity of 7 to 10,000 M3, might be used by firefighters and farmers.
The developers Hectare and Buldu and the deputy mayor of the southern territory Frédéric Gourier.
In the event of drought, the volume of this basin will make it possible to compensate for the drop in withdrawals from the Perpignan canal. It is also planned to connect the roofs of Technosud buildings to the water body; and to feed the basin with the rainwater thus collected. Finally, the third lake, of 45,000 m3, will receive the water from the first two for more recreational use. Different activities will be offered, floating games, paddle, canoeing, or the installation of the very controversial ski lift. Only if the water level allows it, warn the project leaders.
“The idea is to line bodies of water with waterproof clay. We need to have depth in order to maintain thermal inertia in the basins. If we only have 50 cm of water in the middle of summer, evaporation will be enormous. The more water depth we have, the more thermal inertia we have”, explains Thomas Charlet, water engineer. The pools will therefore have to reach a depth of three meters to function normally.
For opponents of Mas Delfau, “it goes once morest the grain of what needs to be done”
In the ecological context we are going through, water skiing does not seem to be a priority for everyone. “It goes once morest the grain of what needs to be done. It’s at the same level as the Villeneuve de La Raho golf course, it’s really not in the news to do things like that! »protests Joan Nou, member of the Agissons 66 collective. The opponent of the project denounces in particular the partial destruction of the Mas. “I think this type of building might have accommodated a craft business. With projects like this, we are destroying the entire industrial heritage of the Catalan country. »
“The water will be drawn from L’agulla de Fontcoberta, an already dry stream which runs along the edge of the land. It was originally created to supply the Mas, at the time of the kings of Majorca”specifies Philippe Poisse, member of the Alternatiba association. “The agulla has its source, from Mas Bresson, by the Perpignan canal, which also feeds Lake Villeneuve upstream. The problem is that from the Villeneuve water intake, there is almost nothing left. »
A controversy that the project leaders want to put to rest. “There will perhaps be a ski lift, there will be taverns and other activities that will be offered, but while preserving the environment”reassures promoter Jacques Buldu. “If activities cannot take place under water stress, they will stop. » The infrastructures must also be integrated into the current landscape, respecting the vegetation already present on site. Clearly, the taverns and other picnic tables might have a view of dry pools?
A first appeal filed once morest the Mas Delfau project
For its part, the municipal opposition filed an appeal for the withdrawal of the deliberation authorizing the sale. Among the reasons given: a transfer price “lower than the real value of the real estate complex”. As for the leader of the opposition, Bruno Nougayrède, he finds this idea far from extraordinary, “These 10,000 square meters of offices will further contribute to devitalizing the city center of Perpignan. »
A decision that Frédéric Gourier brushes aside: “We are in a country of law. If people oppose the project, we cannot stop them (…). But at a given moment, we might not let this place deteriorate like this”the deputy mayor justifies himself.
It was during the municipal council meeting of September 27, 2023, that Pierre Parrat, member of the opposition and former elected official in Perpignan town planning, pointed out the sale price of Mas Delfau. According to him, the estimate made in 2024 for the sale of 18 hectares of the wasteland is clearly underestimated. Indeed, according to him, the sale price of five euros per M2 is for a non-building zone, it is much higher when it comes to building land. And at Mas Delfau, it is possible to build on more than 12,740 square meters. According to the opponent, this lot should therefore be sold for 2.5 million euros and not 1 million.
But at the time of the press conference organized on site, this appeal does not seem to cause much concern. Without detailing the sale price of the land, the promoters affirm that of the 22 million euros of investment, 6 to 7 million will be used to develop the lake, the farmhouse and the winery. The investment dedicated to the part open to the public might reach 7 million euros. As for the construction of offices, the project leaders remain unclear.
When might construction begin on Mas Delfau in Perpignan?
Environmental prospecting, hydraulic and project design studies are planned for 2024. From the first quarter of 2025, the project leaders wish to submit administrative authorizations. As for the first backhoe loaders, they might start operating as early as the first quarter of 2026.
A graduate of ESJ Lille, Célia joined the editorial staff of Made In Perpignan following completing an internship there.
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