Knokke-Heist (Brussels Morning Newspaper): Compagnie Het Zoute plans to build a 7.200 square meter underground parking with 151 spaces in Knokke-Heist. Businessman Paul Gheysens is involved in another golf project facing protests. Local group Leefbare Approach Knokke-Zoute opposes the parking due to flood concerns.
Compagnie Het Zoute, known for its minigolf courses in the popular Het Zoute area, is planning to enhance visitor convenience by building an underground parking facility beneath its approach golf fields. This new parking structure aims to provide additional spaces to accommodate the growing number of guests enjoying both the minigolf and approach golf, which features shorter holes for quicker play. The development will be designed to blend well with the existing landscape, ensuring that the recreational experience remains enjoyable while improving amenities for visitors.
What legal challenges could Compagnie Het Zoute face for the Knokke-Heist parking project?
Local authorities have rejected plans for a new parking lot in Knokke-Heist. The parking facility would cover at least 7,200 square meters and include 151 spaces, with 58 private garages and 93 regular spots. It would also have a special lift for classic cars. The developer believes it would help reduce summer traffic. A local group, Leefbare Approach Knokke-Zoute, opposes the project, citing concerns about building in a flood-prone area and potential water issues.
The team behind the parking project can still ask the province to review the rejection. If they do, local activists plan to take legal action and keep watching the situation. At the same time, businessman Paul Gheysens has another golf project that includes an 18-hole course, a luxury hotel, a conference center, and apartments. This project has also faced protests. Gheysens has given up his original building permit but is trying to get a new one.
