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🇧🇪 Belgium /Energy & Infrastructure

"This is scandalous": Residents furious as high-voltage line work resumes in Leest

From VRT NWS · () Dutch

Translated from Dutch, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

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  • Residents in Leest, Belgium, are furious as work on a high-voltage power line has resumed after a new permit was granted by the Flemish Minister of Environment.
  • The previous permit was suspended by the Council for Licensing Disputes following a request from the local community.
  • Neighbors are calling the decision "scandalous" and "unjust," fearing the new, higher, and heavier masts will negatively impact their area, especially after a storm damaged previous structures two years ago.

Residents of Leest, Belgium, are expressing outrage and disbelief after construction work on a high-voltage power line resumed, following the issuance of a new environmental permit by Flemish Minister of Environment Jo Brouns. This development comes after the previous permit was suspended by the Council for Licensing Disputes at the request of the local community.

I find this decision totally unjust. This is a political power play. Everyone is on vacation, and now this tragic and nefarious decision is being made by the minister.

— LeoA Leest resident expressing anger over the new permit for the high-voltage power line.

The controversy centers around the replacement of nine masts that were toppled during a storm two years ago. The new masts are reportedly taller and heavier than the previous ones. Elia, the company responsible for the line, received a permit in late December 2025 for the reconstruction in Hombeek, Leest, and Heffen. Work began earlier this year, with one mast already rebuilt, but the suspension halted further progress.

Now, with the new permit granted, residents feel betrayed. "I find this decision totally unjust," stated Leo, a local resident. "This is a political power play. Everyone is on vacation, and now this tragic and nefarious decision is being made by the minister." He added, "I maintain: if people had died here two years ago, those cables would have been buried long ago, like everywhere else in Belgium. It even costs them more money to place them above ground. It's simply scandalous."

I maintain: if people had died here two years ago, those cables would have been buried long ago, like everywhere else in Belgium. It even costs them more money to place them above ground. It's simply scandalous.

— LeoA Leest resident comparing the current situation to potential outcomes if lives had been lost.

Erna, who previously initiated a petition against the works, also expressed deep disappointment. "I feel very bad. This is a serious setback. We did not expect this from the government. The disappointment is very great," she said. Currently, the Mechelen high-voltage substation is powered by a temporary emergency line, which Elia states is set to expire on June 30, 2028. The resumption of work on the new masts has intensified the community's frustration and sense of powerlessness.

I feel very bad. This is a serious setback. We did not expect this from the government. The disappointment is very great.

— ErnaA resident who started a petition against the power line works, reacting to the new permit.
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.

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