News Ventilus

Following the scoping memorandum (guidelines for the planning process), the preliminary draft Regional Land Use Plan (GRUP) and the final adoption of the GRUP (phases when the Flemish authorities took the lead on this project), Elia is now picking up the reins. In the next phase, feedback on the project environmental impact assessment (EIA) will be requested. 

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).

High-voltage operator Elia is planning several soil surveys in Bruges, Zuienkerke, Torhout, Izegem, Zedelgem, Oostkamp, Blankenberge from 10 January as part of the Ventilus project. The soil surveys are needed to gather technical knowledge and learn more about the composition of the soil, presence of other utilities in the soil, groundwater level,...

As part of the Ventilus project, the current compensation scheme will be extended. This extension will enter into force for all 380kV overhead lines for which the application for the first permit is made after the final adoption of Ventilus’ Regional Spatial Implementation Plan (RSIP). In accordance with the aforementioned principles, this extension applies to all future 380kV projects throughout Belgium.

The Environment Department is organising information sessions in connection with the public consultation for the draft Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan (GRUP), running from 29 August to 27 October. The first information session for the general public is taking place today in Zedelgem.

Today, the Flemish Government has provisionally established the draft Ventilus Regional Land Use Plan (Gewestelijk Ruimtelijk Uitvoeringsplan or GRUP). A public enquiry will be held after the summer. 

As from next week until the end of August, Elia is carrying out soil investigations at various locations in West Flanders.