The defense collective of the Saint Louis Chapel in Dijon, threatened with destruction, has been heard. François Rebsamen, mayor (PS) of the city and president of the agglomeration community, has indeed refused to benefit from the “operational town planning certificate filed with the services of the metropolis”, according to the services of the community. A press release specifies that the decision was taken in accordance with the local intermunicipal urban plan (PLUI-hd), in order to respect the “suburban” character of the Rotondes district, where the building is deployed.

The Saint-Louis Chapel is one of the properties identified by the Diocese of Dijon, “the sale of which could contribute to the compensation fund for victims of pedocrime”, according to the Dijon Métropole. The hypothesis of a sale to a promoter who could have destroyed the building to build housing there, caused a strong mobilization of the residents.

Mobilization of local residents

In a few days, the petition of a collective of inhabitants had reflected more than a thousand signatures. “The mayor of Dijon was very concerned about this file. We see here the realization of the spirit of PLUI-hd (habitat displacement) which respects and enhances the districts of our regional capital”, commented Pierre Pribetich, deputy in charge of urban planning and eco-districts of Dijon Métropole.

For the moment, no project is retained on the site. According to the fund for solidarity and the fight against abuse of minors (Selam), fed by contributions from the dioceses, the Church of France has already collected some 20 million euros for the compensation of victims, estimated at 330,000, according to the Sauvé report published on October 5th.