Adoption in principle of the Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan
The Flemish Government today gave the go-ahead for the approval in principle of the Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan. The accompanying policy, which was also given the go-ahead, includes an expanded compensation policy, Elia's commitment to underground some overhead lines in West Flanders and an agreement to integrate the high-voltage infrastructure into the environment (landscape integration).
Adoption in principle of the Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan
The Flemish Government today gave the go-ahead for the approval in principle of the Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan. The accompanying policy, which was also given the go-ahead, includes an expanded compensation policy, Elia's commitment to underground some overhead lines in West Flanders and an agreement to integrate the high-voltage infrastructure into the environment (landscape integration).
Following the provisional adoption of the draft Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan (GRUP) on 7 July, the public inquiry followed from 29 August to 27 October 2023.
Everyone was given 60 days to respond to the draft GRUP. The Environment Department analysed and processed the various objections and advised the Flemish Government. The Flemish Government then decided to approve the GRUP in principle. The next steps involve the Council of State issuing an opinion and the final adoption of the Regional Land Use Plan. Afterwards, high-voltage system operator Elia will, as required under the procedure, work on an environmental impact assessment and the environmental permit application.
Accompanying policy
Elia and the Flemish Government are now working on various agreements for the accompanying policy.
Accordingly, the decision was taken to incorporate the expanded compensation policy into an agreement whereby, in the event of a definitively enforceable permit, local residents in the vicinity of a new 380kV overhead line, high-voltage substation or terminal tower are entitled to compensation for the loss of value of their home due to the presence of high-voltage infrastructure. More information about the compensation policy can be found on our website.
Elia is also committed to the early dismantling and undergrounding in West Flanders of a number of 70kV and 150kV overhead lines:
1. Moeskroen – Zwevegem (nr. 70-527, IW304)
2. Koksijde – Noordschote tussen Noordschote en Wulpen (nr. 70-552, IW209)
3. Noordschote – Ieper (nr. 70-548, IW213)
4. Ieper – Bas-Warneton (nr. 70-548, IW210)
5. Bas-Warneton – Wevelgem (nr. 70-549, IW201)
6. St-Baafs-Vijve – Desselgem (nr. 70-522, IW303)
7. Deinze – St-Baafs-Vijve (nr. 70-537, IW305)
8. Pittem-Beveren tussen Muizelaar en Beveren (nr. 70-493 en 150-168, IW215)
9. Beveren-Rumbeke-Izegem (nr. 150-274 en 150-275, IW214 en IW316)
10. Izegem-Pittem (nr. 150-192, IW317 en IW215)
In addition, an agreement on landscape integration was also approved. To limit the visual impact on the environment and local residents, Elia takes measures in the surrounding countryside. These measures often consist of implanting defensive hedges, rows of trees and/or shrub borders. Elia appoints a landscape expert to integrate overhead lines into the landscape and determines which measures will be taken in consultation with local stakeholders. Elia provides funds for this purpose. More information about landscape integration can be found on our website.
