Schaerbeek appeals against plan for housing project that would fell 50 trees

The Brussels municipality of Schaerbeek has begun an appeal against the building permit granted by the Brussels region for a housing project near Place Meiser that would see 50 trees cut down.

The Carré des Chardons project includes the building of 39 homes on a green space of more than 6,000m².

An underground car park with 30 spaces and room for more than 100 bicycles is also planned.

The municipal council decided by a majority to lodge the appeal, according to urban planning alderwoman Justine Harzé (PS).

Schaerbeek issued an unfavourable opinion on the original application, which also met strong opposition from residents during the public consultation.

The developer then submitted amended plans. The region granted the permit in mid-October without a new public inquiry, without a new consultation commission and without a new opinion from the commune.
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Harzé told RTBF that the changes were significant and should have been assessed again. The original plans involved felling 35 trees. The new version raises that to 50.

The commune is also concerned about the site’s biodiversity. According to Bruzz, its biotope area factor, which measures how much a plot contributes to nature, would fall from 90% to 63.8%.

Changes to public space on Avenue Ernest Cambier and Rue des Chardons were also made without formal consultation with the municipality, Harzé said.

The appeal must be lodged with the Brussels government by 16 November.

Schaerbeek is asking for the permit to be reconsidered in light of what it says are procedural errors and the project’s impact on the neighbourhood and the environment.