The public consultation on the planned new stadium for Union Saint-Gilloise has ended, yielding more than 650 responses. According to the Brussels football club, 10% of the responses were expressions of support.
The stadium is intended to be built on the Bempt site in Vorst, not far from the border with Ukkel, and residents of both municipalities were consulted. It would have a capacity of almost 16,000, almost doubling its existing capacity, and the surrounding area is also set to be revitalised with new sports infrastructure, wider cycle paths and landscaping.
“The latter is greenwashing,” says We Are Nature, which continues to oppose the plans. “The question is how the club intends to compensate for a green space of 37,000 square metres. Planting a few trees won’t be enough. As long as the answer to that question remains unclear, we will continue to take every possible legal step against the stadium.”
In addition, the organisation fears noise and light pollution, highlights the flood risks and points to the safety risks posed by the nearby Allnex chemical plant in Drogenbos.
Union has the support of the Brussels government, however: the seven majority parties explicitly stated in the coalition agreement that they support the club’s plans. In principle, the Brussels-Capital region must issue an urban planning permit by the end of October.
The club are looking for a new home because the Joseph Marienstadien on Brusselsesteenweg in Vorst does not meet UEFA standards and, due to its listed status, cannot be extended. Union have had to play their European matches at Lotto Park, home to city rivals Anderlecht, in recent seasons. For this summer’s Champions League qualifiers, they will have to play in Ostend.
Construction could begin next year and Union hope to move out of the Joseph Marienstadion in 2029. A consultation committee meeting is scheduled for 30 June, at which the comments will be discussed.