Building plots to disappear in Flanders in 10 years

In 10 years' time, there will be no more plots of land left for housing development in Flanders, requiring new - and even existing - houses to become smaller, taller and more expensive, reports Het Nieuwsblad. This trend has already started, according to the newspaper, with homes shrinking by about 12 square metres over the past decade.

The dream of building a big villa will only become more expensive due to the trend. "Only about 2% of the land intended for development is still available," said Marc Dillen, general director of the Flemish Building Confederation (VCB). "And within a decade, there will be nothing left. The construction of new houses will be a thing of the past.”

As a result, and because the population in Flanders continues to grow, existing homes will have to be renovated or demolished and rebuilt, but in a much more efficient manner. “There will be no choice but to add height to existing houses," said Dillen.