The Flemish government has purchased 34.4 hectares (85 acres) of sand dunes in the family seaside resort of De Haan (West Flanders). It involves an investment of over 1.7 million euros. The land was previously owned by the Royal Donation, the state body that makes property available to the royal family. ‘The area was not under any immediate threat,’ says Wilfried Vandaele, Mayor of De Haan ‘But if you really want to determine how these dunes should be managed, it's always best to own them yourself!’
Flemish government acquires De Haan sand dunes to ensure best nature protection
Colin Clapson
Published:
The acquisition includes the Spanjaardduin bordering the neighbouring resort of Bredene , a narrow strip in front of the golf course, the Royal Ostend , and an area east of the Vosseslag district. ‘We’ve made agreements with Natuurpunt (the Flemish nature preservation society) on how to manage the land taking nature management plans into account,’ explains Mayor Vandaele.
According to the mayor, the area was not immediately under threat, ‘But if you really want to determine how these dunes should be managed, it's always best to own them yourself,’ he notes.
The zone is a protected nature reserve. The purchase cost just over 1.7 million euros.
The purchase allows us to protect nature in the best possible way, the mayor explains. ‘When the land is owned by another organisation, there is always a lot of discussion,’ Mr Vandaele says. ‘Now the opportunity presented itself, it seemed better for the Flemish government simply to purchase the area.’