As the environmental permit needed to operate Brussels Airport in Zaventem will expire in July next year, Brussels residents are urged to voice all their comments, complaints or objections before the request for the renewal is approved.
Contrary to what many people assume, it is the Flemish Region that is responsible for issuing the single permit, as the airport (even though it is called 'Brussels Airport') is actually located in Flanders. Before the re-licensing application can be approved by the Flemish authorities, however, a 30-day public enquiry for all citizens concerned will be organised.
Initially, this only concerned those living in the four municipalities adjacent to the airport (Steenokkerzeel, Kortenberg, Zaventem and Machelen), but has now been expanded to also include all Brussels residents.
"Complaints about noise pollution mainly come from residents of the Brussels Region," said Frédéric Nimal, the councillor responsible for combating aircraft noise.
"It is the people of Brussels and in particular, the people of Schaerbeek, who are seeing their quality of life deteriorate on a daily basis," he stressed. "The current situation is unacceptable, and we keep saying so."
The airport's activities on locals have been underexposed for years, and were highlighted in a study earlier this year: 220,000 people living in the neighbourhood of the airport are severely hampered by aircraft noise every year, while the sleep of 109,000 people living in the area is seriously disturbed.
"All that remains is to hope that we are heard. It is inconceivable that this situation should continue," said Nimal.
Does the airport noise disrupt your sleep? Let @Maajtee know.
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