Temse (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – More than 300 objections were filed against the Steendorp brickworks redevelopment in Temse. Action group Steendorp Leefruimte raised soil concerns, while Alderman Wim Van Rossen referred assessments to OVAM during the 2025 inquiry.
As VRT News reported, the redevelopment of the old brickworks site in Steendorp has become a central issue in Temse, in the province of East Flanders, Belgium. The project, however, is again facing resistance from residents. More than 300 objections have been submitted during the public inquiry. Most were coordinated by the local action group Steendorp Leefruimte, which previously fought industrial plans for the same sites.
What will happen to Steendorp Brickworks redevelopment after 300 objections?
The action group now warns about the impact of the work needed to prepare the land. They fear years of heavy truck traffic linked to soil deliveries, which could cause noise, dust, and safety problems in surrounding neighbourhoods.
Supporters of the redevelopment stress that the work is necessary to secure the long-term vision of a natural and recreational area.
“The plan fails to consider the interests of hundreds of families who live and work near the site,”
they say.
The group Steendorp Leefruimte has raised concerns about the redevelopment of the former brickworks site in Steendorp. The group questions whether the soil on the site is clean enough for the planned works and is calling for extra public consultation. The group wants guarantees that any risks will be addressed before the land is prepared and before large volumes of soil are moved.
Alderman for Spatial Planning Wim Van Rossen (cd&v-Open Vld) has referred the concerns about soil cleanliness to OVAM, the Flemish waste management agency responsible for monitoring the land. He stated that OVAM has the authority to assess soil research and check for contamination.
Van Rossen also rejected the suggestion that residents were not properly involved, pointing out that the municipality organised information sessions and provided regular updates about the project. According to him, the consultation process was sufficient. The municipality has confirmed that all objections will now be reviewed in detail and that the next steps in the procedure will be announced once the assessment is complete.
In the previous municipal electoral contest in 2024, the future of the site was one of the key questions at the forefront of the election. Both the ruling party and the opposition support the new proposal and bring several years of court cases and failed projects to a close.
Officials mentioned that the site will not be used for industry but rather will become a ‘green’ place. The plan will talk about replanting trees, establishing ecological zones, walking and biking pathways, and maintaining elements of the industrial heritage present on site.
