One of the reasons Wind Concerns Mark Mallett and Chris Habiak are running for Councillors in this coming October elections is so that there can be a solid voice on St. Paul County’s Council against industrial wind. This story is proof that municipalities can and should make a difference!
by Lailuma Sadid for brusselsmorning.com
The planned 200m wind turbine in Loppem, Zedelgem [Belgium], set to power 7,000 homes, was cancelled after 882 resident objections, municipal opposition, and heritage concerns. Alderman Stijn Timmerman agreed with the decision.
As VRT News reported, a plan to build a giant wind turbine in Loppem, near Zedelgem, in the province of West Flanders, Belgium, will not move forward after opposition from residents. The turbine would have been over 200 meters tall and capable of producing electricity for nearly 7,000 households.
Local people submitted 882 objections in the public consultation. The plan was to site the turbine between the Molendreef and the E403. The turbine could potentially be used to supply renewable energy to the grid, but the size of the turbine and its location were of huge concern to many residents due to its visual impact on the area.
What led to the cancellation of the 200m Loppem wind turbine for 7,000 homes?
The Zedelgem municipality was also opposed to the project and submitted a negative opinion on the environmental permit in April 2025. They then expressed that the noise pollution and shadow flicker present a danger to a residential area located within 400 meters of the nearby site. The environmental permit application also neglected to mention the surrounding green space and cultural heritage due to the presence of Loppem Castle, a significant heritage property.
Alderman for the Environment, Stijn Timmerman (CD&V), agreed with the decision to cancel the planned wind turbine in Loppem, near Zedelgem.
The minister responsible for environmental permits cited several reasons for rejecting the project. These included the unacceptable impact on the landscape and the proximity to heritage sites such as Loppem Castle.
“It is a huge relief,” he said. “I am especially pleased that the municipality’s negative recommendation and the many objections submitted by residents were headed.”
The minister also mentioned that the project developer had already proposed many measures to reduce the turbine’s impact, but these were not enough to approve it at this location. The developer still has the right to appeal the decision.
Read the full story here.
Wind Concerns is a collaboration of citizens of the Lakeland Alberta region against proposed wind turbine projects.