In Marseille, “last chance” mobilization against the artificialization of part of the Hautes-Douces valley
The association “Sauvons le Vallon” still hopes to cancel the sale of several plots, dedicated to urbanization, in this preserved space in the 11th arrondissement of Marseille, at the foot of Garlaban.
Thirteen days. This is the time that remains for the defenders of the Hautes-Douces valley to try to protect several hectares of land, dedicated to urbanization. The association “Save the Valley” organized a “last chance” mobilization, this Sunday, on this preserved site in the 11th arrondissement of Marseille, in the Treille district. On the program: exchanges with the public and planting of trees.
A way”to use all the possibilities we have left” and “to reach the end of our hopes“, estimates Sandy Lachouette, co-president of the association. Mobilized for three years for the defense of this space, this resident of the 7th arrondissement, who has taken up the cause of the Vallon, still wants to believe in it. Just like the ten activists and local residents who are members of the association, mobilized that day.
“As long as there are solutions, there is hope. And the Safer (land development and rural settlement company) still has the possibility of acting“, judges the activist.
On November 10, two hectares of land in the Hautes-Douces valley, held by the Fondation de France, were sold at auction to private owners. With, behind, “a desire to build individual houses“, denounces the association.
“But Safer can still exercise its right of substitution“for 30 days after the sale. The body responsible for regulating agricultural land may intervene, “by substituting for the sale, at the price of the sale“, that is to say 1.6 million euros, explains Sandy Lachouette.
In this former agricultural countryside of 12 hectares, bordered by housing estates to the east and hills to the west, 3 hectares have been converted into building zones since the entry into force of the PLUi in 2013. The Fondation de France, which owned part of it, decided to get rid of it, during an auction, in August, then in November, paving the way for a possible urbanization of the site, denounce the activists.
“Our objective is to ensure that the valley is not urbanized and concreted; that it remains available and open to citizens“, insists Sandy Lachouette.
The adjoining spaces, sold to a private owner years ago, would already be affected by earthworks, denounce these activists.
The association, used for four years on this subject, wants a community to buy the land, to carry out agricultural projects. At least two farmers could settle there, “to do market gardening, exploit the vines and orchards“, says the activist.
On the spot, olive trees, fruit trees and vines remained, deposited in terraces. The 12 hectares were formerly exploited by a couple of farmers, Joseph and Thérèse Bourrelly. After the couple’s death, it was partly ceded to a Marseille family, partly to the Fondation de France.
If Safer intervenes, the land could be designated to the organization Terre de liens, which would install “project leaders” there. The association had already proposed to acquire the premises, during a previous auction, with the support of the town hall. But the operation had failed.
Joël Guitard, co-president of the association, readily imagines market gardening or pastoralism in this place: “when you see the restanques, the presence of water, these are fertile lands. They have a certain agronomic quality. It is quite auspicious. Especially since Métropole and town hall have mobilized to relocate production to Marseille“.
The 19th century buildings present on the site could “host exhibitions and actions to raise awareness of biodiversity“, projects the association.
A petition is still online.
On their side, the town hall of Marseille claims to support the project. It recalls “its intention to refuse any form of urbanization and continues its mobilization to support agricultural and food projects on this site”. A modification of the PLUi would thus have been requested, for the lots concerned, in order to place them in a non-building zone.