The Flemish government has given its initial approval to the proposed development of a major glasshouse complex near the Belgian city of Oudenburg, near the Port of Ostend in West Flanders.
The development, which is expected to include glasshouses covering some 40-45ha on a site known as the Plassendale business park, is expected to be used to produced a number of different vegetables, possibly including tomatoes, cucumbers and peppers, although producers involved in the project are yet to decide on the exact breakdown.
A spokesman for the Flemish government told Fruitnet.com that plans for the project would be subject to a public consultation, expected to last around two years, during which time the potential impact of the proposed complex on the region's environment, economy and local communities will be assessed.
'We anticipate that we will have a definite decision on the future of the project by 2010 at the earliest,' said the spokesman.
The project has been put forward as a means not only of assisting Flemish growers as they look to increase vegetable production, but also to help the region of Flanders meet its commitments towards protecting the environment. 'The proposed glasshouse zone near Oudenburg will be able to make use of heat produced by two nearby industrial plants,' the spokesman added. 'At present, this surplus heat is just lost to the open air, but if this project goes ahead then producers will be able to make use of it.'
Flemish Prime Minister Kris Peeters said the proposal offered a 'win-win' situation for the region as a whole. 'The development of large-scale, sustainable areas promises to push forward the modernisation of glasshouse production in Flanders,' he said. 'The synergy between industry - which is responsible for the delivery of residual heat - and glasshouse farms, offers a win-win situation.'
