In response, the Walloon Minister for Spatial Planning Willy Borsus (MR) wants to impose an operating permit for dwellings intended for tourism.
“This is not a measure aimed at intimidating the Flemings. Flemish investments and tourists remain welcome”, he specifies in the columns of the Mediahuis newspapers. “But we give municipalities and towns the opportunity to make their own decisions when necessary.”
Since the confinement, many Flemings have come to the Ardennes to buy a second home, or to open a gîte there. “Due to the strong demand for real estate, young Walloons can no longer pay the market price for a house in their own municipality”, explains the alderman of Tourism of Rendeux, Audrey Carlier.
