Sint-Amands (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – As part of the Echoes of the Scheldt master plan, Sint-Amands is constructing 2 dike modules for rest and river access, after a 3rd module was removed during the design phase.
As GVA News reported, the banks of the Scheldt in Sint-Amands, in the province of Antwerp, Belgium, are set for a major change. 2 new dike modules, the Grote Cirkel and Het Scheldestrand, will give visitors better access to the river and the village. The Grote Cirkel is a circular platform at the dike’s entrance, near the footpath to Dam Square. It will have benches, information boards, and bicycle parking.
“Our beautiful Scheldt banks have been part of the Scheldt Valley National Park since 2024,”
explains Mayor Koen Van den Heuvel (CD&V team Koen).
“With this project, we are creating a place where climate-resilient nature, soft recreation, agriculture, and heritage complement each other. An asset for our residents and for tourists.”
“With this project, we are creating a place where climate-resilient nature, soft recreation, agriculture, and heritage complement each other. An asset for our residents and tourists alike.”
Koen Van den Heuvel, Mayor in Purs-Sint-Amands (CD&V team member)
Het Scheldestrand is located near the Den Amandus restaurant. The platform slopes down toward the water. Originally, a 3rd module was planned near the Steenovens on the border with Buggenhout. That lookout point was removed during the design stage.
“Of the three dike modules, this one was the least important to implement”
explains Van den Heuvel.
“By limiting ourselves to two dike modules, we also stayed well within budget.”
How will the new dike modules change Sint-Amands’ Scheldt riverbanks?
The dike modules are part of the LIP Scheldeboorden land development plan. The total budget for the project is about €1 million. The Flemish Land Agency is contributing €392,750, while the Flemish Waterway provides €254,679. The Scheldevallei National Park invests around €40,000, and the local employment and welfare organization Nektari from Purs-Sint-Amands is also taking part.
“Although the emphasis of the dike modules is primarily on the recreational aspect, we are also investing heavily in wet nature zones on the banks of the Scheldt and are providing infrastructure works for local agriculture to gain better access to the plots right next to the dike.”
Jo Brouns, Minister of Environment (CD&V)
Officials mentioned that the plan focuses on nature conservation, biodiversity, accessibility, and visitor experience. It is fully in line with the Sigma Plan, Flanders’ large-scale project to protect the region from flooding.
“Although the emphasis of the dike modules is primarily on the recreational aspect, we are also investing heavily in wetlands along the Scheldt and providing infrastructure for local agriculture to improve access to the land adjacent to the dike”
says Flemish Minister of the Environment Jo Brouns (CD&V).
“These works are now also underway quickly.”
After the dike modules are completed, work will continue on new resting places along the Beekpad and the dike. Nature restoration will take place at the ponds between the dike and the footpath. The historic bleaching meadow will be redeveloped.
The recently opened Gansakkermolen will get more attention, including exterior renovations, and new uses for the Molenbelt will be explored. The project also includes planting new trees, creating wildlife areas, and adding more information boards, benches, and dike steps.
The official approval for Puurs-Sint-Amands’ LIP Scheldeboorden project was granted on December 23, 2022. This project is part of the larger Echo’s van de Schelde plan, initiated in 2021, which seeks to enhance nature, heritage, recreation and flood safety along the Schelt River. This plan also considers the Sigma Plan which is Flanders’ flood protection program. The execution of the first phase of this project began the fall of 2025.
