Large Housing Project Planned Next to Bruges Forest; Homes and Trees Must Go

A significant residential development is planned for the outskirts of Bruges, Belgium, potentially reshaping a 200-meter stretch along Vaartdijkstraat near the Steenbrugge bridge. Three project developers have applied for a permit to construct over 200 apartments and homes, but the project necessitates the demolition of existing residences and the clearing of a 1,850-square-meter wooded zone.

The proposal includes seven apartment buildings, each up to six stories high, totaling 201 units. Additionally, 11 single-family homes and eight spaces for commercial or community functions are planned. Nearly half of the development's area would be dedicated to communal green space, with the interior designed to be car-free. Some of the existing homes slated for demolition are noted for their heritage value.

The project faces a public inquiry, open until June 26, before the Bruges city council makes a decision on the zoning permit by November 14. If approved, a separate application for the building permits will follow. The companies behind the proposal are Kolmont, Urbanlink, and Verstraete.team.