Deurne residents protest planned tree felling, fearing irreversible damage

Residents of Deurne, Belgium, gathered to protest the imminent felling of 11 trees, a move they fear will cause irreversible damage to their neighborhood. The planned work, set to begin Monday, echoes a contentious tree-cutting operation from last year. Hundreds of residents then protested, halting the felling of dozens of trees after a legal appeal was filed. The city had temporarily stopped the work under political pressure.

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We have a déjà vu, with what happened a year ago.

This new felling targets trees near the Kastanjeplein, a local gathering spot. The Council for Permit Disputes rejected an urgent request to suspend the felling, though a legal challenge against the permit itself is still ongoing. Lode Daelemans from the action committee "Het Juiste Spoor" expressed frustration, noting a "déjà vu" and pointing to an interim court ruling that found an "illegality" related to environmental standards for polluted water discharge. He believes the city should await the final decision, expected in the fall.

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We had hoped that after all the fuss, the city would show a little more caution.

"We had hoped that after all the fuss, the city would show a little more caution," Daelemans stated. "We are afraid of being presented with a fait accompli. Suppose the permit is revoked, a large part of the project will already be irreversibly realized." The action committee disputes the city's reasoning, asserting the trees are located on the planned route for a new turning loop, not just for sewage work.

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We are afraid of being presented with a fait accompli.

City officials, however, maintain the felling cannot wait until the Council makes a ruling. They cite the need to adhere to the planting season for new trees and to relocate existing ones. The cabinet of Alderman Koen Kennis (N-VA) clarified that the tree removal is essential for laying new sewage pipes and is not directly related to the turning loop. The contractor will determine the exact schedule for the felling.

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The felling of the trees cannot wait until the Council makes a ruling because we would miss the planting season for new trees and relocating other trees.