Steenokkerzeel (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Mayor Kurt Ryon (N-VA) of Steenokkerzeel stopped Brussels Airport’s unauthorised cutting of 20-meter trees on Haachtstesteenweg after complaints from an action committee of residents protecting residents from noise, pollution, and environmental harm.
As VRT News reported, the mayor of Steenokkerzeel, a municipality in the province of Flemish Brabant, Belgium, Kurt Ryon, who is part of the N-VA party, took action to stop the tree-cutting work on Haachtstesteenweg in Steenokkerzeel. Although the land where the trees are located belongs to Brussels Airport, the municipality intervened because the pruning was not done correctly.
Mayor Ryon stated that the airport did not ask for an exception to the pruning ban. The major cutting of the trees, particularly the removal of their tops, was not permitted. The municipality views this pruning as a problem because it directly affects residents.
They mentioned that these residents depend on the trees to protect them from noise and pollution from the airport. Even though Brussels Airport planted new trees nearby, this doesn’t solve the issues for those affected by the significant cutting of the older trees.
Is Brussels Airport putting Steenokkerzeel residents at risk by cutting trees?
Brussels Airport has admitted that they messed up the tree cutting. Ihsane Chioua Lekhli, a spokesperson, said they started the work because a neighbour complained about the trees blocking their solar panels. The cutting was delayed because of planning issues, but the airport didn’t get the right permission first.
They know they made a mistake and will stop the cutting for now. They plan to start again later, but only after they follow all the rules. They mentioned that the airport understands the problems and will be more careful to follow the town’s rules and listen to the people who live there.
The residents of Steenokkerzeel complain that they hear more noise and smell worse odours from the airport. Noise pollution has been reported to lead to stress and sleeping problems. Cutting down the trees makes this worse.
Residents mentioned that the trees were cut during the bird breeding season. This could affect nests and animals. Many people in Steenokkerzeel think the tree cutting was a bad idea. They say the airport should care more about the environment and the people who live there.
About 30 years ago, trees were planted along the Haachtstesteenweg in Steenokkerzeel. Over time, these trees grew to be about 20 meters tall. They formed a thick, green wall between the houses in Melsbroek and the busy Brussels Airport.
They have protected the people living there from the noise, dirty air, and bright lights of the airport. The airport has recently decided to cut these trees back. Some of the trees are now only half as tall. This has made the people in the area very worried and confused.
