Brussels-City reprimanded for concrete blocks in Bois de la Cambre

Regional authority Urban.brussels has complained of planning offences committed by the City of Brussels in the Bois de la Cambre, where concrete blocks have been installed without planning permission to channel traffic.

“Brussels deserves better than improvised and piecemeal developments,” said urban planning secretary Audrey Henry (MR).

“There are solutions that are of higher quality, more aesthetically pleasing and, above all, compliant with the rules.”

A meeting to "find solutions that would both guarantee the safety of everyone in the Bois de la Cambre and ensure compliance with town planning regulations" took place between Henry and Brussels-City mayor Philippe Close (PS), with part of the council in attendance.

A timetable for regularisation was drawn up and entails submitting planning permission applications for the concrete blocks before the summer. The blocks will remain in place in the meantime.

Henry has also instructed her administration to draw up a regional register listing concrete blocks and similar structures installed in public spaces, with a view to proposing alternative, more aesthetically pleasing solutions.

“Public spaces must be planned for the long term, not on an ad hoc basis,” Brussels minister-president Boris Dilliès said .

The concrete blocks were put in Bois de la Cambre to replace 40 boulders installed last April to slow down cyclists.

Henry emphasised that a permit is needed for such an action because Bois de la Cambre is a protected area.