Administrative procedure: what is the current situation?

On 4 January last, Elia sent its basic application and all the letters received to the government and the Walloon authorities.

Minister Borsus, in charge of Spatial Planning, among other things, had then requested the opinion of the authorities as well as any body that he considered competent in order to examine the application. The Minister also requested a second study on the needs and technological options.

After requesting all the opinions of the various bodies, the application enters the phase in which the Walloon government decides on whether or not to open up the Area Plan for revision.

In the event of a decision to open up the Area Plan for revision, a consulting firm approved by Wallonia must then produce the Environmental Impact Assessment.

The 90-day period that is sometimes mentioned concerning the decision on the opening for revision, which has expired, was only an indicative deadline. In other words, contrary to the mandatory deadline, the Minister remains competent and the decision that will be taken will remain valid, even if this deadline is exceeded.