26 more hectares are now available at the Bastogne 1 business park to accommodate new companies and so meet the region’s very high demand.
26 additional hectares available to businesses
The municipality of Bastogne has two business parks that are now completely full. In order to meet the very high level of demand from companies, the extension of the Bastogne 1 park was a real priority. In 2016, 26 hectares of additional land were recognised as being suitable industrial and mixed economic activity zones.
Now the work involved in equipping the new area, carried out by the Lambert Frères/Deumer joint venture, has been completed. The work has cost €4,093,000 excluding VAT, 80% of which has been financed by Wallonia (ordinary credit lines – SPW-DGO6-DEPA). The Directorate of roads and buildings (SPW-DG01) is co-financing the work involved in connecting the new roads to the N85, to the tune of €52,000 excluding VAT.
This work includes creating platforms (200,000m³ of cut and fill), new roads (1,100m), fully equipping the plots (water, gas, electricity, drainage, lighting, fibre optic ducts, pedestrian walkways etc.), upgrading and equipping rue de Fortin, creating a roundabout connecting the existing park to its extension, securing the junction with the N85 and developing planted buffer zones around the outskirts of the extension.
A park committed to sustainable development
Business parks are more than just working environments: they now need to be integrated living spaces that fit in with current environmental and urban planning issues.
In Bastogne, there is a particular focus on soft mobility, thanks to improved pedestrian routes. In terms of energy, energy-saving LED lighting has been installed that can be programmed and dimmed.
Water management has also been improved with the separation of wastewater and clear water. Domestic wastewater is sent to the Bastogne Rhine treatment plant, while clear water is put through a temporary immersion zone made up of embankments created using natural materials.
Preserving biodiversity is an integral part of the project. The temporary immersion area along the Bovire River takes into account the incredibly high quality pre-existing ecological environment. An ecological network has been created on the site by planting 2.7km of hedges (636 tall standard trees, 12,206 shrubs and 4,769m² of flowerbeds). In time, it will grow into the landscape and act as a wildlife corridor for different species. A dry stone wall built to support the foot of the slope will create a living space and breeding ground for flora and fauna. Maintenance work will be carried out according to the principles of differential management.
Other elements of sustainable development have been integrated, which includes respecting a cut and fill balance, using local companies to carry out the work, using local materials, linking up to the natural gas network for all the plots etc.
A park that meets businesses’ needs
Marketing for the park only began a few months ago and is already a great success. Indeed, 3 companies have purchased a plot so far: Penning-Keolis (bus transport), Witrans (logistics) and Thomas Bois (forestry), bringing a total of 40 jobs and plans to create 17 more within the next 5 years. In addition, 17 local companies generating nearly 115 jobs have already expressed an interest. These companies work in a range of different fields, mainly in the construction industry. This extension certainly meets a real need, with 9 hectares of land out of the 20 that can be marketed already the subject of keen interest. Take note if you’re interested!
Do you want to develop your business at the Bastogne 1 park too?