Gingelom (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – The Council of State rejected Gingelom’s appeal against Limburg Win(d)t’s plan to build 3 wind turbines in Montenaken, allowing the project to proceed near the village centre.
As VRT News reported, the Council of State has dismissed Gingelom’s appeal, in the province of Limburg, Belgium, against the plan to place 3 wind turbines close to the village centre. Gingelom already has 7 wind turbines, but new plans are stirring fresh discussion in the municipality.
Limburg Win(d)t wants to add 3 new turbines in Montenaken, while energy firm Engie has filed a separate request for 3 more turbines at another location.
“But those three would be in the same location as the existing seven turbines, so near the highway. Therefore, we have no objections to that project,”
says
Lismont.
What impact will Limburg Win(d)t’s new wind turbines have on Gingelom?
Local officials say the difference between the 2 projects lies mainly in the impact on daily life, with concerns about noise, visibility, and the effect on the rural environment.
“We are, after Voeren, the highest municipality in Limburg. This makes us very susceptible to wind energy. We are also very eager to do our part, but it must remain livable for our residents.”
A 3rd plan has also been submitted, this time for a 250-meter turbine in the Kortijs sub-municipality. It would be one of the tallest turbines ever proposed in the region. The public consultation for this project has now ended.
Limburg Win(d)t says it has taken note of the advice collected during the process, but is still waiting for a final decision from the minister. Until that decision is made, the number of new turbines that will receive approval.
“Here too, we’ve received many complaints from concerned residents,” says Lismont.
“This is a real behemoth,”
explains the mayor.
“We support climate-neutral energy, but such a large wind turbine doesn’t fit in a small village like Kortijs. Therefore, the municipal council also issued a negative recommendation for this project.”
The ruling clears the way for the wind project, but the municipality says its worries are not resolved. Mayor Lismont notes that residents still fear noise, shadow flicker, and the visual impact once the turbines start running. He says the local government will keep following the project and ask for steps that limit any disturbance.
“We have made our concerns clear to Nuhma, the parent company of Limburg Win(d)t,”
the mayor said.
“We are showing the human side and the 250 complaints we have received from concerned residents. In this way, we are still trying to stop it.”
Limburg Win(d)t says it is continuing to study the matter.
“The permit is final, although no concrete decisions have been made yet. We are currently reviewing all aspects of the matter,”
they said
“The wind turbines would be located barely 450 meters from the centre of Montenaken, which we consider irresponsible.”
Mayor Patrick Lismont (Vooruit-Goesting) stated at the time.
The municipality started the case in 2023, saying the turbines would stand too near homes and could alter the rural setting. Local officials warned that the tall structures might change the view of the area and affect the daily routine of residents living nearby. After reviewing the file, the Council of State decided that the developer respected all legal and environmental rules and that Gingelom’s concerns did not outweigh the project’s compliance.
