Flanders appoints arbitrator to help save Uplace

The government of Flanders has appointed an arbitrator in an attempt to settle the various concerns surrounding Uplace, the shopping and leisure centre planned for Machelen, just outside the Brussels ring road.

The government has appointed senior civil servant Wim Van Asschot as arbitrator. Flemish economy minister Philippe Muyters said that Van Asschot will work to create a version of the project on which all parties – opponents and proponents – can agree.

Uplace objectors range from Unizo, the organisation that represents the self-employed, to the cities of Vilvoorde and Leuven. Unizo and town councils are worried about the effect the shopping centre will have on small businesses in nearby town centres. Other concerns are related to increased traffic on the ring road.

Last March, the Council of State suspended the Uplace’s environmental permit – for the second time. Next month it is due to rule on whether planning permission should be revoked entirely. This would likely lead to a damages claim by the project developers against the government of Flanders, which approved planning permits under its brownfield policy on the development of former industrial sites.

The government hopes, therefore, that Van Asschot can reach a settlement in time for the opposing parties to withdraw their legal complaints before the ruling of the Council of State.

Photo: Courtesy Uplace