Keep the Heikantberg green

We, the signatories of this petition, hereby request the College of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality of Rotselaar, the Permanent Deputation of the province of Flemish Brabant and the Flemish Government to immediately suspend any further fragmentation and reduction the forest stock in the Heikantberg residential park area in Rotselaar.

We request the Flemish Government to give priority to the implementation of the Forest Decree on the protection of the Most Vulnerable Valuable Forests.

We request the College of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality of Rotselaar and the Permanent Deputation of the province of Flemish Brabant to draw up a spatial implementation plan (RUP) and to submit it for approval to the City Council and the Provincial Council, respectively, in order to effectively protect the current forest stock in the Heikantberg residential park area in Rotselaar.

We request the Flemish Government, in collaboration with the Flemish Parliament, to deepen the concept of a residential park area, while maintaining the balance between people and nature. The emphasis on the first part of the qualification (“residential”) must be shifted to the second part (“park”). Sufficient unbuilt plots should remain to conserve local habitats.

We request the Flemish Government, in collaboration with the Flemish Parliament, to revise the procedure for granting an environmental permit, especially when nature conservation is threatened, regardless of the current destination of the parcels in question. The decision-making process must be conducted in a neutral and objective manner. Local residents must be given sufficient time to formulate their objections and they must be supported by the administration through advice, documents and references.

We request the College of Mayor and Aldermen of the municipality of Rotselaar to take immediate action in the event of violations of environmental legislation and to file a complaint with a civil party count with the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Court of Leuven.

In view of the urgency, we request the said executive and legislative bodies
to take all necessary and useful measures to achieve these objectives.

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