Concrete plant Dranaco Merksem gets a permit from the province (Antwerp) after all
The Dranaco company still gets a permit to build a concrete plant
in the Carrettestraat on the Vaartkaai in Merksem. Despite 93 despite the city of Antwerp and a negative advice from the city, the province is now giving light.
The site in question is located near the Vaartkaai, roughly between the bridge of the Sportpaleis and the cyclists’ bridge in Merksem. There was concern among local residents about the arrival of the concrete plant. Every day many cyclists pass by who use the cycle path along the water as a commuter route. Traffic from Merksem, Schilde and Wijnegem, among others, passes there during rush hour. The new concrete plant would supply raw materials via water, which would be collected by trucks. That would send an extra 143 trucks a day that way, which in turn would cause dust, noise and vibrations.
The deputation of the province of Antwerp has now decided to grant Dranaco a permit for the construction of the concrete plant. “An additional mobility test has been carried out and it appears that the company can be spatially integrated there,” says Deputy for Environmental Permits Luk Lemmens (N-VA).
“Acceptable level”
Dranaco’s application was slightly modified. For example, the maximum stack height for the storage of granulate, sand and gravel will be six meters instead of 10.60 meters. “With regard to the fear of dust nuisance, noise nuisance, vibration nuisance, mobility pressure, it can be concluded that with the additional data, including a limitation of the storage height to 6 meters, a noise study and a mobility test, it is determined that these are limited to one level”, judged the Provincial Environmental Licensing Committee.
“We do not expect odor nuisance,” it sounds. “A concrete retaining wall with a height of six meters will be provided, which means that noise and dust pollution will be limited. The reverse side was moved back half a meter from the footpath in relation to the application. A green strip with grass, low vegetation and an evergreen climbing plant can be provided in this strip. This is part of the feeling of insecurity and the threatening nature and the visually appealing.”
An objection with a petition signed by 58 local residents was handed over.