Permit for Sewage Project Revoked, Saving 72 Trees in Maaseik

The planned felling of 72 trees in Maaseik's Beukenlaan has been halted after the Council for Licensing Disputes revoked the permit for a sewage project.

The decision by the council means the trees, described as a unique avenue with significant ecological and recreational value, will not be cut down for the immediate future. The sewage project aimed to install separate sewer lines in the Beukenlaan and surrounding streets, which the previous city administration had deemed technically impossible without removing the trees.

However, the Council for Licensing Disputes found that the procedure for granting the permit was flawed, leading to its revocation. While the ruling does not directly address the tree felling, it necessitates a new procedure for the sewage project. Local resident Noël Reeskens expressed relief, stating his intention to exhaust all appeal options to save the trees. He hopes the city will consider alternative methods for laying the sewer pipes that would spare the trees.

The current Maaseik city council plans to convene with the grid operator Fluvius, the contractor, and the designer in September to discuss the situation. Mayor Gunter Haeldermans indicated that the council is exploring ways to preserve the trees and will subsequently update residents on their findings. The future of the 72 trees remains uncertain pending the outcome of these discussions and the initiation of a new project procedure.