The Flemish Government is urging France to reconsider the location of a proposed wind farm off the coast of Dunkirk.
Flemish Minister-President Matthias Diependaele (N-VA) announced the appeal. Flanders will support an existing legal challenge by the Port of Ostend and also plans to launch its own case with the French Council of State.
France plans to build an offshore wind farm in the North Sea near the Belgian border. The project includes up to 46 turbines, each reaching up to 300 metres high.
According to regional officials, the wind farm will disrupt the shipping route between Ostend and the United Kingdom. Additionally, the construction may impact coastal scenery and tourism in Belgium.
Concerns have also been raised about the potential effects on fishing, marine life, safety at sea, and radar and navigation systems.
The Port of Ostend has already taken legal action against the French plans. The Flemish Government has now decided to support this initiative, Diependaele announced on Wednesday. Flanders is also planning to file its own case with the French Council of State against the environmental permit for the project.
"Flanders supports sustainable energy projects, but not at the cost of our economy, port activity, and coastal residents," Diependaele stated.
"This project, less than 12 kilometres from our coast, poses a threat. We urge our southern neighbours to explore alternative locations that would minimise the impact on Flanders. This is a matter of good neighbourliness and mutual respect."
The previous Federal Government also took the case to the French Council of State but was unsuccessful. Additionally, a complaint was filed with the European Commission because the French government did not consult Belgium about the location of the zone.
