DistantNews
Support us
🇧🇪 Belgium /Energy & Infrastructure

18 Objections Filed Against Large Chicken Farm Construction in Doornzele

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Under investigation
  • Eighteen residents have filed objections against plans to build a large chicken farm in Doornzele, Evergem.
  • The proposed farm would house 40,000 chickens, replacing an existing pig farm, and faces opposition due to proximity to homes and potential fine dust emissions.
  • The Flemish government will decide on the permit, with a decision expected in weeks or months.

Plans to construct a large chicken farm in Doornzele, a sub-municipality of Evergem, have met significant local opposition, with 18 residents filing formal objections. The proposed facility is intended to house approximately 40,000 chickens and would be built on the site of a current pig farm located on Walgracht street.

Groen Evergem, a local environmental group, has also voiced its opposition, citing concerns that the new farm would be situated too close to residential areas. A primary worry is the potential increase in fine dust emissions, which could negatively impact the local environment and residents' health.

The future company would be too close to houses and it would also emit more fine dust.

— Groen EvergemStating the reasons for opposition to the chicken farm.

The current pig farm on Walgracht houses around 1,400 pigs. The application seeks to convert this into a poultry farm. The owner, Filip Huysman, is a former local councilor for CD&V and currently serves as a municipal council member. The request to the Flemish government includes seeking exceptions, particularly regarding the required distance between the farm and residential zones, as poultry farms are known to generate more dust than pig farms.

Objections were formally registered by 18 individuals. The decision on the permit now rests with the Flemish government, a process that could take several weeks to months. Following this decision, any revised plans will be presented to the municipality.

A poultry farm causes, for example, more dust.

Explaining the environmental concerns related to poultry farming.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by VRT NWS in Dutch. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

More Stories

From Our Blog