in the middle of a heat wave, trees cut for a real estate project
Rouen (Seine-Maritime), report
“ To rage. Me, I’ve never been so angry against something and this rage will change in some way. » These words are from Lucile, member of the Joyful Gardens Collective after the entry of construction machinery into the gardens of the former Sainte-Marie de Rouen home.
This Monday, taking advantage of a still cool early morning, there were about fifteen activists and local residents keeping the pavement to monitor the possible start of the work which should transform this former Catholic home and its 4,000 m² of gardens into a residence. upright. But around 8 a.m., a flatbed truck appeared with material on board for cutting trees.
- The defenders of the gardens, including the municipal deputy Manuel Labbé, opposed the entry of the promoter’s machines on the site. © Guénolé Carré / Reporterre
To prevent the machine and its load from entering the site, the demonstrators blocked the Impasse des Flandres, at the end of which is the only suitable access for vehicles. Called by the employees of the construction site, about fifteen police officers quickly arrived on the spot.
After removing the barriers blocking the street and surrounding the activists sitting on the road, they allowed the truck to enter the gardens. No one has been arrested. “ What do you think your children will think of you when there are no more trees ? » could be heard shouting in front of a line of impassive agents.
A first occupation evicted in January
In Rouen, the struggle to preserve the Joyful Gardens has been going on for over a year now. Located in the city center, the former Catholic home saw its last residents from 2015. Bought by the Caen promoter Sedelka, it is a luxury residence project that was finally launched on the site. But this luxury housing project involves, among other things, the destruction of the vast park which is home to a biodiversity that would be exceptional in the city.
After an occupation of the site in June 2021 leading to a first delay in the work, the Joyful Gardens – from the name given to it by its inhabitants – were forcibly evicted last January.
- A wood chipper has been brought to the gardens. © Guénolé Carré / Reporterre
Opponents, surprised, believed until the last moment in a work freeze following last Wednesday’s meeting between the mayor of Rouen and the promoter. During this discussion which, for the first time, saw the mayor – Nicolas Mayer-Rossignol – meet the representative of the Sedelka company, the town hall had proposed land compensation in return for abandoning the project or revising it. in a version sparing the gardens.
However, as the mayor’s office confirmed to one of the deputies on Monday morning, no commitment was made by the Sedelka company, which limited itself to declaring “ study these proposals ». For Lucile, Sedelka’s determination to pursue her project poses a point of no return: “ These people, we can not trust them, it is useless to discuss with them there is a moment when all they understand is political pressure. »
“ We’re in the middle of a heat wave and it’s so easy to uproot trees »
From this point of view, activists can count on the support of several local elected officials. Among them, the deputy Nupes Alma Dufour. Contacted by telephone, she denounces a global contradiction between ecological declarations and ecocide projects: “ We make great speeches on ecology, we renature the cities and there, we are in the middle of a heat wave and it is so easy to uproot trees. […] We see that there is a real schizophrenia between what is said and what is done. »
- An imposing metal plate now blocks the entrance to the Sainte-Marie foyer. © Guénolé Carré / Reporterre
Asked about the position of the mayor of Rouen who declared that he had done everything he could to face the promoter, Alma Dufour replied: “ We always have the means to go a little further »pointing out the responsibility of the town hall in the eviction of the gardens last January.
L’deputy team went Tuesday morning in front of the Sainte-Marie home to block the continuation of the construction site. For their part, activists are still determined to force the cancellation of the project before the damage to the gardens is irreparable.