Beringen (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – During a Beringen city council meeting, Mayor Thomas Vints clarified there are no plans for an asylum centre due to resource constraints. An environmental permit for a construction project on Everselsestraat was rejected to prioritize a master plan focused on environmental care
During a city council meeting in Beringen, Mayor Thomas Vints addressed concerns about a possible asylum centre. Vlaams Belang and Vooruit asked if there were plans for such a facility. The mayor said no requests had been made and that there is no asylum centre in Beringen. He explained that the city does not have the resources to set one up. He also mentioned that the old city hall is not a suitable location. There are currently no official plans for an asylum centre.
“We have not received any request for setting up an asylum centre”,
Said Mayor Thomas Vints (CD&V)
Why won’t Beringen have an asylum centre?
According to Mayor Vints, Beringen will not have an asylum centre, but the city will still support refugees. He said Beringen is taking care of the refugees assigned to them according to the rules. The city wants to help newcomers join the community instead of keeping them apart.
The mayor said,
“We do not want to build walls, but bridges.”
He mentioned that Beringen wants to promote inclusion and teamwork. He recognizes the city’s limits while confirming its commitment to help as much as possible.
During a city council meeting yesterday, February 10, 2025, officials decided not to approve an environmental permit for a large construction project on Everselsestraat. They mentioned that the project did not match the city’s overall plan for the area.
According to Officials, instead of allowing the planned construction, the city wants to create a detailed master plan for the site. This new plan will focus on creating a flood zone, building a new cemetery, and adding more green spaces. City officials believe this approach will be better for the community and support environmental care and future planning.
They mentioned that the residents were worried about the project. Many people opposed the construction because they thought it would harm the natural landscape and local infrastructure. To express their concerns, they organized a petition and held a protest.
According to Officials, while the rejection of the environmental permit is a setback for the developer, it is not the final word. The developer can appeal the decision, which could lead to more discussions or changes to the plan. They mentioned that the city is focused on its vision, so future projects will likely need to match the goals of the new master plan.
