Beaufort's municipal council had given its green light for a new general development plan back in April 2019. The plan included proposed changes to the boundaries of an established green zone, which was why it had to be submitted to the Ministry of the Environment for approval.
In August last year, Minister of the Environment Carole Dieschbourg refused a number of proposed modifications, for example the construction of public buildings on agricultural lands.
Urbanisation, the minister argued, would scar the landscape at this location. The municipality of Beaufort appealed against the minister's verdict and consequently took the disagreement to the administrative court.
The two examining magistrates concluded that the reclassification of the formerly agricultural lands will be allowed under a number of conditions. Dieschbourg's initial decision was thus annulled.
