Ettelgem (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Oudenburg got permission to build a lookout tower inside the 12th-century Sint-Eligiuskerk in Ettelgem, despite privacy concerns from 3 neighbors. They may appeal to the Council of State before April 6, 2025.
The idea of the tower within the 12th-century Sint-Eligiuskerk in Belgium has outraged some locals. Since the tower would be tall and individuals would be able to view into their homes and gardens, privacy worries them.
The tower will be so high, says one resident, that it will be possible for anyone on top of the tower to see into their own kitchen. This has led to a discussion regarding how to balance rights for local residents with protecting history and tourism.
Some people think the tower is a good way to use the old church, while others think it will be bad for their daily lives. Officials mentioned that this is a common problem when old buildings are changed into new things, and people are trying to figure out how to make sure everyone is happy.
Will Oudenburg’s Ettelgem tower move forward despite the appeal?
The town of Oudenburg got permission to build the lookout tower in Ettelgem, but some people are still upset. 3 neighbors who live near the church don’t want the tower because they think people will be able to see into their homes. They tried to stop the project, but a group called the Council for Permit Disputes said the town could build the tower. The neighbors are unhappy because they feel like their concerns were ignored.
According to the officials, the neighbors who don’t want the lookout tower have one more chance to stop it. They can appeal to the Council of State, but they only have until April 6th, 2025, to decide. The Council of State won’t look at whether the tower is a good idea, just whether the town followed the rules when they got permission to build it.
Even though they know that it will be hard to persuade others to help them, the neighbors are considering whether or not to appeal. Most people do not want to be a part of it, even if there are some who share their fears. The neighbors have to decide in a hurry, but they do not know whether appealing will make any difference. The town is about to start constructing the tower in the meantime.
The church will be partially demolished to reduce its size before a new viewing platform is incorporated in an open spire. The design was selected to maintain the church’s history while also ensuring it becomes a viable landmark destination for tourists. The Sint-Eligiuskerk is a very old church, dating back to the 12th century, and it has architectural influences from the Romanesque and Gothic periods.
